Question

Why is Gibbs free energy important?

Answer 1

Why? Because Gibbs free energy is the single, unequivocal criterion for the spontaneity of chemical change.

Explanation:

Gibbs free energy is no longer included on the UK A level syllabus. It includes both an enthalpy term (`DeltaH`), and entropy term (`DeltaS`). Its sign predicts spontaneity for both physical and chemical reactions. It is still widely used.

Gibbs himself was an accomplished polymath, and made prodigious contributions to chemistry, physics, engineering, and mathematics.