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Classification: Internal

GIBBS FREE ENERGY, G

To work out if a reaction is feasible at a certain
temperature, we need to consider the enthalpy
change of the reaction and the change in entropy.
G = H - TS
In order for a reaction to be feasible G must be NEGATIVE 
G = Gibbs free energy in J mol-1
H = enthalpy change in J mol-1
S = entropy change in J K-1 mol-1
T = temperature in K
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Is a reaction feasible?
What is the connections between Gibbs free energy change and thermodynamic
feasibility?

• When ∆G is 0, a reaction is thermodynamically feasible.

• This means the reaction can happen (it can not happen as the activation is too
high)
• The term spontaneous is taken to mean the same thing as feasible, but it still
means that a reaction can happen rather than that it actually does.

Often we are asked if reaction is feasible at a given temperature or at which

temperature a reaction becomes feasible.
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Worked example:
a) Show that the thermal decomposition of sodium
carbonate is not feasible at 1200K.
b) At what temperature does it become feasible?  
Na2CO3 (s)  Na2O(s) + CO2 (g)
H = +323 kJmol-1
S = +153.7 J K-1mol-1
Be careful with the units:
S = +153.7 J K-1 mol-1 = 0.1537 kJ K-1 mol-1

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For the reaction to be feasible Gibbs free

energy must be negative i.e. G is < 0
G = H - TS
= 323 – (1200 x 0.1537)
= + 139 kJ mol-1

As G is positive the reaction is not

feasible.

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To discover the temperature the reaction is

feasible at G is < 0
G = H - TS
323 – (T x 0.1537) < 0
323 < (T x 0.1537)
T > 323/0.1537 = 2100 K

For the reaction to be feasible the

temperature must be greater than 2100 K
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In the blast furnace there are 2 reactions

involved in the extraction of iron:
A: Fe2CO3 (s) + 3CO(g)  3Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
H = -25.0 kJmol-1
S = +15.2 J K-1 mol-1
B: Fe2CO3 (s) + 3C(s)  3Fe(s) + 3CO (g)
H = + 491 kJmol-1
S = +542.9 J K-1 mol-1

Which reaction is more feasible at (a)

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You will need to calculate G at both temperatures – the

one with the most negative value will be the most feasible.

Using G = H - TS Only A is

negative so it
is the only
At 800K feasible
A: G = -25.0 – 800 x 0.0152 = -37.16 kJ mol-1 reaction

B: G = 491- 800 x 542.9 = + 56.7 kJ mol-1

At 1800K Both are

negative but B
A: G = -25.0 – 1800 x 0.0152 = -52.4 kJ mol-1 much more
B: G = 491- 1800 x 542.9 = - 486 kJ mol-1 negative and
so it is the
MORE feasible
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Key learning points

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Plenary
• Answer question q1, 4, 5 and 6 a) & b) from exam questions booklet.

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Plenary answers
1. B

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