Q.Which of the following is not correct?
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Gibbs Free Energy
Gibbs Free Energy: The "Why" Behind Spontaneous Reactions
Imagine you're pushing a boulder downhill. It's going to happen naturally — you don't need to keep pushing. But if you want to roll it uphill, you have to work against gravity the whole way. Chemistry works the same way: some reactions happen on their own (spontaneous), and others need a constant push of energy.
The question is: what decides which is which? That's exactly what Gibbs Free Energy answers.
The Two Competing Forces
Two things drive every chemical change:
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Enthalpy (H) — the total heat content. Nature tends to move toward lower energy. A fire releases heat; that's enthalpy driving the reaction forward. Reactions that release heat (exothermic, ΔH<0) are favoured.
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Entropy (S) — the measure of disorder. Nature also tends toward more chaos. A messy room doesn't tidy itself; a gas spreads to fill its container. Reactions that increase disorder (positive ΔS) are favoured.
But here's the catch: these two can pull in opposite directions. An endothermic reaction (absorbs heat, ΔH>0) might still happen if it creates enough disorder. Ice melting is a perfect example — it absorbs heat, but the liquid water is far more disordered than the crystal.
The Resolution: Gibbs Free Energy
Josiah Willard Gibbs combined these two forces into one number that tells you the net direction:
ΔG=ΔH−TΔS
Where:
- ΔG = change in Gibbs free energy (kJ/mol)
- ΔH = change in enthalpy (kJ/mol)
- T = absolute temperature (Kelvin)
- ΔS = change in entropy (J/K·mol — careful with units!)
The sign of ΔG is the final verdict:
| ΔG sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Negative (ΔG<0) | Spontaneous — reaction happens on its own |
| Positive (ΔG>0) | Non-spontaneous — needs constant energy input |
| Zero (ΔG=0) | Equilibrium — no net change |
Why Temperature Matters
Notice the T in front of ΔS. Temperature decides which force wins. At low temperatures, the enthalpy term (ΔH) dominates. At high temperatures, the entropy term (TΔS) takes over.
This explains everyday observations:
- Ice melts spontaneously above 0°C (entropy wins at higher T)
- Water freezes spontaneously below 0°C (enthalpy wins at lower T)
- At exactly 0°C, ΔG=0 — ice and water coexist in equilibrium
The Precise Statement
Gibbs Free Energy is the maximum useful work obtainable from a closed system at constant temperature and pressure. When a reaction proceeds, the system loses free energy (ΔG<0), and that energy is available to do work — like running a muscle or powering a battery. …
The Gibbs free energy change ΔG is the criterion for spontaneity at constant temperature and pressure. A process is spontaneous when the system can do work on the surroundings while moving toward equilibrium.
Key relationships:
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Spontaneous process: The system proceeds forward without external intervention. For this, ΔG<0 (negative).
-
Non-spontaneous process: The forward direction requires external work. Here, ΔG>0 (positive).
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Equilibrium (reversible) condition: No net driving force in either direction, so ΔG=0.
Checking each option:
- (i) Correct: At equilibrium, ΔG=0 …
Gibbs free energy ΔG is the criterion for spontaneity: negative for spontaneous processes, positive for non-spontaneous ones, and zero at equilibrium. The incorrect statement is (ii) — spontaneous reactions have ΔG<0, not positive.
The Gibbs free energy change ΔG is the single most powerful predictor of whether a process will occur on its own. It combines both the enthalpy change (energy released or absorbed) and the entropy change (disorder created or destroyed) into one number that tells us the direction of spontaneity.
The fundamental relationship is:
ΔG=ΔH−TΔS
When ΔG<0, the process releases free energy into the surroundings and proceeds spontaneously. When ΔG>0, the process requires an input of free energy and will not occur without external intervention. When ΔG=0, the system is at equilibrium — no net change occurs because forward and reverse processes balance perfectly.
Let me examine each statement:
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Statement (i): ΔG is zero for a reversible reaction
A reversible reaction in thermodynamics means a process at equilibrium, where the system can shift infinitesimally in either direction with no net driving force. At equilibrium, the free energy of products equals that of reactants, so ΔG=0. This is correct.
-
Statement (ii): ΔG is positive for a spontaneous reaction
This contradicts the fundamental criterion. A spontaneous reaction proceeds on its own because it moves toward lower free energy — the system "falls downhill" energetically. This requires ΔG<0, not positive. A positive ΔG means the reaction is non-spontaneous in the forward direction. This statement is incorrect.
-
Statement (iii): ΔG is negative for a spontaneous reaction …
Showing the 12 most recent of 27 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.What is ΔrG⊖ for the following reaction at 298 K? 2X(g)+Y(g)→2Z(g) (ΔU⊖=−10.5kJ; ΔS⊖=−44JK−1; R=8.3JK−1mol−1) (A) 12973 J (B) 13112 J (C) 139.0 J (D) 0.1390 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Chain two thermodynamic relations — ΔH=ΔU+ΔngRT then ΔG=ΔH−TΔS — to get ΔrG⊖≈139.0 J.
Concept and Intuition
ΔU measures energy change at constant volume, but a real gas-phase reaction generally happens at constant pressure, where the system also does (or has done to it) PΔV work as the mole number of gas changes. That correction, ΔngRT, converts ΔU→ΔH. Once you have ΔH, Gibbs' definition ΔG=ΔH−TΔS folds in the entropy cost/benefit of the reaction to tell you the true thermodynamic driving force.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: 2X(g)+Y(g)→2Z(g). Moles of gas: reactants =2+1=3, products =2, so Δng=2−3=−1.
- ΔH⊖=ΔU⊖+ΔngRT=−10500 J+(−1)(8.3 JK−1mol−1)(298 K).
- (8.3)(298)=2473.4 J, so ΔH⊖=−10500−2473.4=−12973.4 J.
- TΔS⊖=298×(−44)=−13112 J. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.At 17°C, the enthalpy change and entropy change of the reaction given below are respectively −12.55 kJmol−1 and 5.0 JK−1 Zn(s)+2HCl(aq)→ZnCl2(aq)+H2(g) What is ΔG (in kJ mol−1) for this reaction? (A) -14 (B) +14 (C) -28 (D) +56
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct Gibbs–Helmholtz calculation; ΔG=−14 kJ/mol, confirming the reaction is spontaneous.
Concept and Intuition
Gibbs free energy change combines the enthalpy driving force with the entropy (disorder) contribution, weighted by temperature: ΔG=ΔH−TΔS. A negative ΔG signals spontaneity. Unit consistency (J vs kJ) is the main thing to watch — ΔS is usually given in J/K while ΔH is in kJ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert temperature: 17°C=17+273=290 K.
- Convert ΔS to kJ: 5.0 JK−1=5.0×10−3 kJK−1.
- Apply ΔG=ΔH−TΔS=−12.55−(290)(5.0×10−3). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.A certain reaction is at equilibrium at 82°C. If the enthalpy change for the reaction is 21.3 kJ, the value of ΔS (in J K−1) for the reaction is (A) 120 (B) 80 (C) 60 (D) 75
›Reveal solutionSolution
At equilibrium ΔG=0, so ΔS=ΔH/T=60 J K−1.
Concept and Intuition
A system "at equilibrium" (for a reaction, not phase transition specifically) has zero net driving force, i.e. ΔG=0. Since ΔG=ΔH−TΔS, setting it to zero directly gives ΔS in terms of ΔH and the absolute temperature.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Condition of equilibrium: ΔG=ΔH−TΔS=0.
- Convert temperature to Kelvin: T=82+273=355 K. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following reaction A(g)+B(g)⇌C(g)+D(g) Which one of the following is zero for this reaction at 298 K? (A) ΔrH⊖ (B) ΔrS⊖ (C) ΔrG (D) ΔrG⊖
›Reveal solutionSolution
At equilibrium, the true (non-standard) Gibbs free energy change of a reaction is always zero — this is the defining condition of chemical equilibrium. The answer is ΔrG.
Concept and Intuition
Standard thermodynamic quantities like ΔrH⊖, ΔrS⊖ and ΔrG⊖ are fixed properties of a reaction at a given temperature (298 K here) — they don't depend on how far the reaction has actually proceeded. But the actual Gibbs energy change, ΔrG, depends on the current composition (reaction quotient Q) via ΔrG=ΔrG⊖+RTlnQ. Equilibrium is precisely the state where the reaction has no further thermodynamic tendency to proceed in either direction, i.e. ΔrG=0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Recall the relation ΔrG=ΔrG⊖+RTlnQ.
- At equilibrium, by definition Q=K, so ΔrG⊖=−RTlnK.
- Substitute back: ΔrG=−RTlnK+RTlnK=0.
- This holds regardless of the actual values of ΔrH⊖ or ΔrS⊖, which are generally non-zero for a reaction like this one (unless coincidentally zero, which isn't implied here). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following reaction A(g)+3B(g)⟶2C(g); ΔH⊖=−24 kJ. At 25°C if ΔG⊖ of the reaction is −9 kJ, the standard entropy change (in JK−1) of the same reaction at same temperature is (A) −5.33 (B) −50.33 (C) −500.33 (D) −0.533
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the Gibbs-Helmholtz relation ΔG⊖=ΔH⊖−TΔS⊖ to extract entropy change, giving ΔS⊖≈−50.33 J K−1.
Concept and Intuition
The spontaneity of a reaction is governed by the interplay of enthalpy and entropy through ΔG⊖=ΔH⊖−TΔS⊖; rearranging isolates ΔS⊖ once ΔH⊖, ΔG⊖ and T are known, provided units are made consistent (kJ vs J).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert to consistent units: ΔH⊖=−24 kJ=−24000 J; ΔG⊖=−9 kJ=−9000 J; T=25°C=298 K.
- Rearrange: ΔS⊖=TΔH⊖−ΔG⊖. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.At 298 K, ΔrU⊖ and ΔrS⊖ for the following reaction are −10.5 kJ and +44.1 J K−1; 2X(g)+Y(g)⟶2Z(g). What is ΔrG⊖ (in kJ) for this reaction ? (R=8.314 J K−1 mol−1) (A) +0.164 (B) −26.119 (C) −2.6119 (D) −0.082
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests chaining ΔU→ΔH→ΔG using ΔngRT and the Gibbs equation; the answer is −26.119 kJ, option (B).
Concept and Intuition
Gibbs free energy change is ΔG=ΔH−TΔS, but we're given ΔU, not ΔH — so we first need ΔH=ΔU+ΔngRT, using the change in gas moles for the reaction as written.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: 2X(g)+Y(g)⇌2Z(g). Gas moles: reactants =2+1=3, products =2. So Δng=2−3=−1.
- Compute ΔngRT=(−1)(8.314)(298)=−2477.6 J =−2.4776 kJ.
- ΔH=ΔU+ΔngRT=−10.5+(−2.4776)=−12.9776 kJ.
- Compute TΔS=298×44.1=13141.8 J =13.1418 kJ. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If ΔrH⊖ and ΔrS⊖ are standard enthalpy change and standard entropy change respectively for a reaction, the incorrect option is (A) ΔrH⊖ = negative; ΔrS⊖ = positive; spontaneous at all temperatures (B) ΔrH⊖ = negative; ΔrS⊖ = negative; non-spontaneous at low temperatures (C) ΔrH⊖ = positive; ΔrS⊖ = positive; non-spontaneous at low temperatures (D) ΔrH⊖ = negative; ΔrS⊖ = negative; spontaneous at low temperatures
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests how the signs of ΔH and ΔS combine, via ΔG=ΔH−TΔS, to fix the temperature range of spontaneity. The incorrect statement is (B).
Concept and Intuition
Spontaneity is governed by the sign of ΔrG⊖=ΔrH⊖−TΔrS⊖, not by ΔH or ΔS alone. Since T>0 always, the term −TΔS can flip sign relative to ΔH as T changes, and that tug-of-war is what makes some reactions spontaneous only in a certain temperature window.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Case ΔH<0, ΔS>0: both terms in ΔG=ΔH−TΔS are negative for all T>0 (since −TΔS<0 too). So ΔG<0 always — spontaneous at every temperature. (A) is a correct statement.
- Case ΔH<0, ΔS<0: ΔG=ΔH−TΔS=(negative)+T∣ΔS∣. At small T, the negative ΔH dominates and ΔG<0 (spontaneous). As T increases, the positive term T∣ΔS∣ grows and eventually ΔG turns positive (non-spontaneous). So this combination is spontaneous at low T, non-spontaneous at high T.
- Compare to (B): it says "non-spontaneous at low temperatures" for this exact case — that is backwards from step 2, so (B) is the incorrect statement.
- Compare to (D): it says "spontaneous at low temperatures" for the same ΔH<0,ΔS<0 case — that matches step 2, so (D) is correct (and consistent with, not contradicting, B being wrong). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.The signs of ΔrH∘ and ΔrS∘ for a reaction to be spontaneous at all temperatures respectively are (A) positive, positive (B) positive, negative (C) negative, negative (D) negative, positive
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using ΔG=ΔH−TΔS, spontaneity at every temperature requires ΔH<0 and ΔS>0 so that ΔG stays negative for all T.
Concept and Intuition
Gibbs free energy change determines spontaneity: a process is spontaneous when ΔG<0. Since ΔG=ΔH−TΔS, whether ΔG stays negative as T varies depends on the signs of ΔH and ΔS. There are four sign combinations, and only one guarantees spontaneity at all temperatures (from absolute zero to arbitrarily high T): when ΔH is negative (release of energy always helps make ΔG more negative) and ΔS is positive (the −TΔS term is then always negative too, since T>0), both contributions independently push ΔG negative regardless of how large T gets.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write ΔG=ΔH−TΔS.
- If ΔH<0 and ΔS>0: ΔG=(negative)−T(positive)=(negative)+(negative)=always negative, for any T>0. This is the only combination spontaneous at all temperatures. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the cell reaction, at 300 K. A(s)+B2+(aq)⇌A2+(aq)+B(s) Its E⊖ is 1.0 V. The ΔrH⊖ of the reaction is −163 kJmol−1. What is ΔrS⊖ (in JK−1) of the reaction? (F=96500 Cmol−1) (A) 10 (B) 100 (C) 1000 (D) 10000
›Reveal solutionSolution
Combine ΔG⊖=−nFE⊖ with ΔG⊖=ΔH⊖−TΔS⊖ to solve for ΔS⊖=100 JK−1 — option (B).
Concept and Intuition
For an electrochemical cell, the maximum non-expansion work available (the Gibbs free energy change) is directly tied to the cell EMF via ΔG⊖=−nFE⊖, where n is the number of moles of electrons transferred in the balanced cell reaction. Once we have ΔG⊖, the standard thermodynamic relation ΔG⊖=ΔH⊖−TΔS⊖ lets us extract the entropy change.
Step-by-Step Solution
- From the cell reaction A(s)+B2+(aq)→A2+(aq)+B(s), each metal atom transfers 2 electrons (A→A2++2e− and B2++2e−→B), so n=2.
- ΔG⊖=−nFE⊖=−(2)(96500 Cmol−1)(1.0 V)=−193000 Jmol−1=−193 kJmol−1.
- Use ΔG⊖=ΔH⊖−TΔS⊖: −193=−163−(300)ΔS⊖ (kJ, with ΔS⊖ in kJK−1). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.At 300 K, the Ecell⊖ of A(s)+B2+(aq)⇌A2+(aq)+B(s) is 1.0 V. If ΔrS⊖ of this reaction is 100 J K−1, what is ΔrH⊖ (in kJ mol−1) of this reaction? (F=96500 C mol−1) (A) -163 (B) -223 (C) -193 (D) -163000
›Reveal solutionSolution
Combining ΔrG⊖=−nFE⊖ with ΔrG⊖=ΔrH⊖−TΔrS⊖ gives ΔrH⊖=−163 kJmol−1.
Concept and Intuition
Electrochemical cell thermodynamics links the cell EMF to the Gibbs free energy change of the underlying reaction via ΔrG⊖=−nFEcell⊖. Once ΔrG⊖ is known, the standard Gibbs-Helmholtz relation ΔrG⊖=ΔrH⊖−TΔrS⊖ lets us back out the enthalpy change if entropy change and temperature are given.
Step-by-Step Solution
- The reaction A(s)+B2+(aq)⇌A2+(aq)+B(s) involves transfer of 2 electrons (both A and B change between the 0 and +2 oxidation states), so n=2.
- ΔrG⊖=−nFEcell⊖=−2×96500×1.0=−193000 Jmol−1=−193 kJmol−1.
- Given ΔrS⊖=100 JK−1 and T=300 K: TΔrS⊖=300×100=30000 J=30 kJ. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.ΔG∘ (in kJ mol−1) for the cell reaction is Cu2+(aq)+Fe(s)→Fe2+(aq)+Cu(s) [Given ECu2+/Cu∘=0.34V, EFe2+/Fe∘=−0.44V and F = 96,500 C mol−1] (A) +150.5 (B) -150.5 (C) +140.2 (D) -140.2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using ΔG∘=−nFEcell∘ with Ecell∘=0.78 V and n=2 gives ΔG∘≈−150.5 kJ/mol.
Concept and Intuition
The standard Gibbs energy change of a redox reaction is directly linked to the cell's standard EMF via ΔG∘=−nFEcell∘ — a spontaneous reaction (negative ΔG∘) corresponds to a positive cell EMF.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify the half-reactions: Cu2++2e−→Cu (reduction, cathode) and Fe→Fe2++2e− (oxidation, anode).
- Compute Ecell∘=Ecathode∘−Eanode∘=0.34 V−(−0.44 V)=0.78 V.
- Number of electrons transferred, n=2 (both half-reactions involve 2 electrons). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.If for an ideal gas reaction 2A(g)+B(g)→2C(g) the standard internal energy and entropy changes ΔUθ, ΔSθ are −8.80 kJ mol−1, −50 J K−1 mol−1 respectively at 300 K, which of the following statements is correct? (A) ΔGθ=−3.71 kJ mol−1, the reaction is non-spontaneous (B) ΔGθ=3.71 kJ mol−1, the reaction is spontaneous (C) ΔGθ=3.71 kJ mol−1, the reaction is non-spontaneous (D) ΔGθ=−26.29 kJ mol−1, the reaction is spontaneous
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests converting ΔU to ΔH via ΔngRT, then applying ΔG=ΔH−TΔS to judge spontaneity; the answer is ΔGθ=+3.71 kJmol−1, non-spontaneous.
Concept and Intuition
For a gas-phase reaction, ΔH=ΔU+ΔngRT accounts for the PV work difference between reactants and products when the number of gas moles changes. Once ΔH and ΔS are known, the Gibbs free energy change ΔG=ΔH−TΔS tells us spontaneity: ΔG<0 spontaneous, ΔG>0 non-spontaneous.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: 2A(g)+B(g)→2C(g). Moles of gas: reactants = 3, products = 2, so Δng=2−3=−1.
- ΔHθ=ΔUθ+ΔngRT=−8.80 kJmol−1+(−1)(8.314×10−3 kJmol−1K−1)(300 K).
- ΔngRT=−2.494 kJmol−1, so ΔHθ=−8.80−2.494=−11.294 kJmol−1.
- ΔGθ=ΔHθ−TΔSθ=−11.294 kJmol−1−(300 K)(−0.050 kJK−1mol−1). …
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