NOCKHARDY

ENTROPY Free energy, enthalpy and entropy are related ...

KNOTES A T A GL A N C E ∆G° = ∆H° - T∆S°
A LEVEL CHEMISTRY

ENTROPY (S) FREE ENERGY (G)

① A measure of the DISORDER of a system
② The more disorder, the greater the entropy
③ Disorder increases if ∆S is positive ...
∆S° = S°final - S°initial
Why should reactions with a positive ∆Η value take place spontaneously ?
e.g. some salts dissolve readily in water and the temperature of the solution drops
Surely, this means that energy has to be put in for the reaction to take place.
Enthalpy change ∆Η does not give the full story. Free energy change, ∆G,
give a a better picture.

④ Entropy increases when Free energy change ∆G°

• A reaction is spontaneous if it can do work - it must generate free energy
• solids melt
• If ∆G is negative a reaction is capable of proceeding of its own accord
• liquids boil
• ionic solids dissolve in water
Will a reaction work ?
• the number of gas molecules increases
• the temperature of matter increases A reaction should be spontaneous if ∆G is negative, so ask ...
• Is the reaction exothermic (∆Η -ive) or endothermic (∆Η +ive) ?

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• Is there an increase in disorder ? If YES then ∆S will be positive.
⑤ Units of ∆S are usually J K-1 mol-1 not kJ • Is the temperature high or low ? It affects the value of T∆S°

In General
For a reversible
• If ∆Η is -ive and ∆S is +ive then ∆G must be negative
reaction at equilibrium ∴ ∆S = ∆Η
• If ∆Η is +ive and ∆S is -ive then ∆G must be positive
∆G = 0 Τ
© J. L. HOPTON 2000