Entropy & Gibbs Free Energy

Front

What is entropy?

Back

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. It quantifies the number of possible arrangements of particles in a system.

Front

How does the phase of a substance affect its entropy?

Back

Generally, gases have higher entropy than liquids, and liquids have higher entropy than solids due to the greater freedom of movement of particles in gases.

Front

What is Gibbs Free Energy?

Back

Gibbs Free Energy (G) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic system at constant temperature and pressure.

Front

What is the relationship between Gibbs Free Energy and spontaneity?

Back

A reaction is spontaneous if the change in Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) is negative (ΔG < 0).

Front

What does a high negative enthalpy indicate about a reaction?

Back

A high negative enthalpy indicates that the reaction releases a significant amount of heat, which can favor spontaneity.

Front

What is the formula for Gibbs Free Energy?

Back

The formula is ΔG = ΔH - TΔS, where ΔG is the change in Gibbs Free Energy, ΔH is the change in enthalpy, T is the temperature in Kelvin, and ΔS is the change in entropy.

Front

What happens to entropy during a phase change from solid to liquid?

Back

Entropy increases during the phase change from solid to liquid because the particles gain more freedom of movement.

Front

Which phase change represents a decrease in entropy?

Back

The phase change from gas to liquid represents a decrease in entropy.

Front

What is the significance of temperature in the Gibbs Free Energy equation?

Back

Temperature (T) affects the contribution of entropy (ΔS) to the Gibbs Free Energy. Higher temperatures can make ΔG more negative if ΔS is positive.

Front

What is an example of a process with high entropy?

Back

Water vaporizing is an example of a process with high entropy, as it involves a transition from a liquid to a gas, increasing disorder.