Enthalpy,

Entropy, and
Free Energy

Enthalpy Entropy
H – heat lost or absorbed
A measure of the disorder, or
in a chemical reaction
randomness, in a chemical
+ H – endothermic reaction
absorbs heat
- H – exothermic
gives off heat
 Entropy and Phase S = Sfinal - Sinitial
Gases – most disorder We will not do calculations but just look
at signs:
Liquid – less disorder
+ S – products more disordered
Solid – little disorder than reactants
- S – products less disorder than
reactants

What would be the sign of S for the following:
1. Liquid water becomes solid water
Answer: Since the product is LESS
DISORDERED, the sign of S is
negative
2. Solid bromine sublimes into gaseous
bromine
Answer: Since the product is
MORE DISORDER, the sign of S
is positive
 Gibbs Free Energy G= H–T S
The above equation is what is used to
A measure that reflects the enthalpy,
calculate the free energy change when
entropy, and temperature of a
given enthalpy, temperature, and
reaction that is used to determine
entropy changes.
spontaneity.
- G = Spontaneous reaction
For now, we will not do calculations, but
+ G = Nonspontaneous reaction
you do need to know the equation!

IMPORTANT Some scenarios:

All reactions would prefer to have 1. A reaction results in Woo Hoo!

LOW ENERGY (- H) low energy (- H) Yeah!

HIGH DISORDER (+ S) high disorder (+ S)

It will always be SPONTANEOUS
Spontaneity ( G) depends on the because it is getting everything it
above two factors. wants! So G will be negative!
2. A reaction results in 3. A reaction results in
high energy (+ H) low energy (- H)
low disorder (- S) low disorder (- S)
It will always be One is good and one is bad so
NONSPONTANEOUS because it temperature is going to be
is getting nothing it wants! So G important. In order for this
will be positive. reaction to be spontaneous, the
temperature will have to be LOW.

4. A reaction results in Summary of Spontaneity

Scenario H S High T Low T
high energy (+ H)
1 - + Spontaneous at
high disorder (+ S) all Temps!!! - G

One is good and one is bad so 2 + - Nonspontaneous at

all Temps!!! + G
temperature is going to be NonSp! Spont!
3 - -
important. In order for this + G - G
reaction to be spontaneous, the 4 + + Spont! NonSp!
- G + G
temperature will have to be HIGH.
H=
H=
S=
S=
T=
T=
G=
G=