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Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 56

A certain reaction has ΔH° = +23.7 kJ and ΔS° = +52.4 J>K. (c) Calculate ΔG° for the reaction at 298 K. (d) Is the reaction spontaneous at 298 K under standard conditions?

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Understand the relationship between Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) using the equation: ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°, where T is the temperature in Kelvin.
Step 2: Convert the entropy change (ΔS°) from J/K to kJ/K to match the units of ΔH°. Since 1 kJ = 1000 J, divide ΔS° by 1000.
Step 3: Substitute the given values into the equation: ΔH° = +23.7 kJ, ΔS° (converted to kJ/K), and T = 298 K.
Step 4: Calculate the term TΔS° by multiplying the temperature (298 K) by the converted ΔS° value.
Step 5: Substitute the values of ΔH° and TΔS° into the equation ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS° to find ΔG°. Determine if the reaction is spontaneous by checking if ΔG° is negative.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)

Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic system at constant temperature and pressure. It is calculated using the equation ΔG = ΔH - TΔS, where ΔH is the change in enthalpy, T is the temperature in Kelvin, and ΔS is the change in entropy. A negative ΔG indicates a spontaneous reaction, while a positive ΔG suggests non-spontaneity.
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Enthalpy (ΔH)

Enthalpy (ΔH) is a measure of the total heat content of a system and reflects the energy required to break and form bonds during a chemical reaction. A positive ΔH indicates that the reaction is endothermic, meaning it absorbs heat from the surroundings. Understanding ΔH is crucial for predicting how energy changes influence the spontaneity of a reaction.
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Entropy (ΔS)

Entropy (ΔS) is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. It quantifies the number of ways a system can be arranged, with higher entropy indicating greater disorder. In thermodynamics, an increase in entropy (positive ΔS) generally favors spontaneity, as systems tend to evolve towards states of higher disorder. The relationship between ΔS and temperature is essential for calculating ΔG.
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