Topic 15 – Spontaneity and Gibbs free energy www.msjchem.

com

Spontaneity and Gibbs free energy

At 298K:
ΔGϴreaction = ΔGϴf (products) – ΔGϴf (reactants)

At any temperature:
G = ΔH - TΔS

1. What is the standard free energy change, ∆GƟ, in kJ, for the following reaction at
298K?

C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)

Compound ΔGfƟ (kJ mol-1)

C2H5OH(l) –175
CO2(g) –394
H2O(g) –229
O2(g) 0

2. A reaction has a standard enthalpy change, ΔH, of +10.00 kJ mol-1 at 298 K. The
standard entropy change, ΔS, for the same reaction is +10.00 J K-1 mol-1. What is the
value of ΔG for the reaction in kJ mol-1?

MSJChem - Video tutorials for IB chemistry www.msjchem.com

Topic 15 – Spontaneity and Gibbs free energy www.msjchem.com

3. The equation for the decomposition of calcium carbonate is given below.

CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

At 500 K, ∆H for this reaction is +177 kJmol-1 and ∆S is 161 J K-1 mol-1

(a) Explain why ∆H for the reaction above cannot be described as ΔHfƟ

(b) State the meaning of the term ∆S.

(c) Calculate the value of ∆G at 500 K and determine, giving a reason, whether or
not the reaction will be spontaneous.

4. Consider the following reaction:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) ΔH = - 92.4 kJmol-1

(i) The absolute entropy values, S, at 238 K for N2(g), H2(g) and NH3(g) are 192, 131
and 193 J K-1 mol-1 respectively. Calculate ∆SƟ for the reaction and explain the
sign of ∆SƟ.

(ii) Calculate ∆Gο for the reaction at 238 K. State and explain whether the
reaction is spontaneous.

MSJChem - Video tutorials for IB chemistry www.msjchem.com

Topic 15 – Spontaneity and Gibbs free energy www.msjchem.com

5. Hex-1-ene gas, C6H12, burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour.

(a) Write an equation to represent this reaction.

(b) Use the data below to calculate the values of ΔHCƟ and ΔSƟ for the
combustion of hex-1-ene.

Substance O2(g) C6H12(g) CO2(g) H2O(g)

Standard enthalpy of
0.0 –43 –394 –242
formation, ΔHf Ɵ (kJmol-1)
Entropy, SƟ (J K-1 mol-1) 205 385 214 189

(i) Value of ΔHCƟ

(ii) Value of ΔSƟ

(c) Calculate the standard free energy change for the combustion of hex-1-ene.

(d) State and explain whether or not the combustion of hex-1-ene is spontaneous
at 25oC.

MSJChem - Video tutorials for IB chemistry www.msjchem.com

Topic 15 – Spontaneity and Gibbs free energy www.msjchem.com

Answers:

1. ΔGƟ = -1300 kJmol-1

2. ΔGƟ = +7.02 kJmol-1

3. (a) Cannot be ΔHfο as conditions are not standard and not formation from
elements.
(b) change in entropy/degree of disorder

(c) ∆G = 177000 – (500 × 161) = +96500 Jmol-1 = +96.5 kJmol-1

reaction is non-spontaneous because ∆G is positive.

4.
(i) ΔSƟ = [2×193] – [192 + 3×131] = –199 J K-1 mol-1
ΔSƟ is negative - four gaseous molecules forming two gaseous
molecules/fewer molecules of gas

(ii) ΔGο = ΔHο – TΔSο = –76.0 – 298 (–0.199) = –16.7 kJmol-1

Reaction is spontaneous (ΔG is negative)

5. (a) C6H12 + 9O2 6CO2 + 6H2O

(b) (i) ΔHCƟ = ∑ΔHfƟ products - ∑ΔHfƟ reactants

ΔHCƟ = (6×-394 + 6×-242) - (-43)
ΔHCƟ = -3773 kJ mol-1 / -3.8x103 kJ mol-1 (2 SF)
(ii) ΔSƟ = ∑ΔSƟproducts - ∑ΔSƟ reactants

ΔSƟ = (6×189 + 6×214) - (385 + 9×205)

ΔSƟ = +188 J K-1 mol-1

(c) ΔG = ΔH – TΔS = -3773 - (298 × 0.188)

= - 3829 kJmol-1 / -3830 kJmol-1 (3 SF)

(d) Reaction is spontaneous (ΔGƟ negative)

MSJChem - Video tutorials for IB chemistry www.msjchem.com