What is Gibbs energy?

1 Answer
anor277
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.

Related questions
See all questions in Gibbs Free Energy
Impact of this question
1886 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License