What is Gibbs energy?

1 Answer
Dec 28, 2016

"Gibbs Free Energy" is the single unequivocal criterion for the spontaneity of the chemical change.

Explanation:

DeltaG^@=DeltaH^@ -TDeltaS^@

The defining expression thus includes an enthalpy term, and an entropy term. If DeltaG^@ is negative, then the reaction is spontaneous as written. It can be related to the equilibrium constant by the expression, DeltaG^@=-RTlnK_"eq". Clearly, only negative values of DeltaG^@ will give positive equilibrium constants.