Entropy, Free Energy,

and Equilibrium
Chapter 17

1
Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Spontaneous Physical and Chemical Processes

A waterfall runs downhill
A lump of sugar dissolves in a cup of coffee
At 1 atm, water freezes below 0 oC and ice melts above 0 oC
Heat flows from a hotter object to a colder object
A gas expands in an evacuated bulb
Iron exposed to oxygen and
water forms rust

spontaneous
nonspontaneous

spontaneous

nonspontaneous

Does a decrease in enthalpy mean a reaction proceeds

spontaneously?
Spontaneous reactions
CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g)

CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l) H0 = -890.4 kJ/mol

H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

H2O (l) H0 = -56.2 kJ/mol

H2O (s)
NH4NO3 (s)

H2O (l) H0 = 6.01 kJ/mol

H2O

NH4+(aq) + NO3- (aq) H0 = 25 kJ/mol

Entropy (S) is a measure of the randomness or disorder of a

system.
order

disorder

S = Sf - Si
If the change from initial to final results in an increase in randomness

Sf > Si

S > 0

For any substance, the solid state is more ordered than the
liquid state and the liquid state is more ordered than gas
state.
Ssolid < Sliquid << Sgas
H2O (s)

H2O (l)

S > 0

Entropy

W = number of microstates
S = k ln W
S = Sf - Si
S = k ln

Wf
Wi

Wf > Wi then S > 0

Wf < Wi then S < 0
6

Processes that lead to an increase in entropy (S > 0)

Example: Br2(l)

S > 0

Br2(g)

Example: I2(s)

I2(g)

S > 0
8

Entropy
State functions are properties that are determined by the state
of the system, regardless of how that condition was achieved.
Examples:
energy, enthalpy, pressure, volume, temperature, entropy

Review

Potential energy of hiker 1 and hiker 2

is the same even though they took
different paths.

10

Example 17.1
Predict whether the entropy change is greater or less than
zero for each of the following processes:
(a) freezing ethanol
(b) evaporating a beaker of liquid bromine at room
temperature
(c) dissolving glucose in water
(d) cooling nitrogen gas from 80C to 20C

11

Example 17.1
Strategy
To determine the entropy change in each case, we examine
whether the number of microstates of the system increases or
decreases. The sign of S will be positive if there is an increase
in the number of microstates and negative if the number of
microstates decreases.
Solution
(a) Upon freezing, the ethanol molecules are held rigid in
position. This phase transition reduces the number of
microstates and therefore the entropy decreases; that is,
S < 0.
12

Example 17.1
(b) Evaporating bromine increases the number of microstates
because the Br2 molecules can occupy many more positions
in nearly empty space. Therefore, S > 0.
(c) Glucose is a nonelectrolyte. The solution process leads to a
greater dispersal of matter due to the mixing of glucose and
water molecules so we expect S > 0.
(d) The cooling process decreases various molecular motions.
This leads to a decrease in microstates and so S < 0.

13

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy can be converted from one form to another but
energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Second Law of Thermodynamics
The entropy of the universe increases in a spontaneous
process and remains unchanged in an equilibrium process.

Spontaneous process:

Suniv = Ssys + Ssurr > 0

Equilibrium process:

Suniv = Ssys + Ssurr = 0

14

Entropy Changes in the System (Ssys)

The standard entropy of reaction (S0rxn) is the entropy
change for a reaction carried out at 1 atm and 250C.
aA + bB
S0rxn =

cC + dD

[ cS0(C) + dS0(D) ] - [ aS0(A) + bS0(B) ]

S0rxn = nS0(products) - mS0(reactants)

15

Example 17.2
From the standard entropy values in Appendix 3, calculate the
standard entropy changes for the following reactions at 25C.
(a) CaCO3(s)

CaO(s) + CO2(g)

(b) N2(g) + 3H2(g)

2NH3(g)

(c) H2(g) + Cl2(g)

2HCl(g)

16

Example 17.2
Strategy
To calculate the standard entropy of a reaction, we look up the
standard entropies of reactants and products in Appendix 3 and
apply Equation (17.7). As in the calculation of enthalpy of
reaction [see Equation (6.18)], the stoichiometric coefficients
have no units, so Srxn is expressed in units of J/Kmol.

17

Example 17.2
Solution
(a)

Srxn = [S(CaO) + S(CO2)] - [S(CaCO3)]

= [(39.8 J/Kmol) + (213.6 J/Kmol)] - (92.9 /Kmol)
= 160.5 J/Kmol

Thus, when 1 mole of CaCO3 decomposes to form 1 mole of

CaO and 1 mole of gaseous CO2, there is an increase in
entropy equal to 160.5 J/Kmol.

18

Example 17.2

(b) Srxn = [2S(NH3)] - [S(N2) + 3S(H2)]

= (2)(193 J/Kmol) - [(192 J/Kmol) + (3)(131 J/Kmol)]
= -199 J/Kmol

This result shows that when 1 mole of gaseous nitrogen reacts

with 3 moles of gaseous hydrogen to form 2 moles of gaseous
ammonia, there is a decrease in entropy equal to -199 J/Kmol.

19

Example 17.2

(c) Srxn = [2S(HCl)] - [S(H2) + S(Cl2)]

= (2)(187 J/Kmol) - [(131 J/Kmol) + (223 J/Kmol)]
= 20 J/Kmol
Thus, the formation of 2 moles of gaseous HCl from 1 mole of
gaseous H2 and 1 mole of gaseous Cl2 results in a small
increase in entropy equal to 20 J/Kmol.
Comment The Srxn values all apply to the system.

20

Entropy Changes in the System (Ssys)

When gases are produced (or consumed)

If a reaction produces more gas molecules than it

consumes, S0 > 0.

If the total number of gas molecules diminishes, S0 < 0.

If there is no net change in the total number of gas

molecules, then S0 may be positive or negative BUT
S0 will be a small number.

21

Example 17.3
Predict whether the entropy change of the system in each of
the following reactions is positive or negative.
(a) 2H2(g) + O2(g)
(b) NH4Cl(s)
(c) H2(g) + Br2(g)

2H2O(l)
NH3(g) + HCl(g)
2HBr(g)

22

Example 17.3
Strategy
We are asked to predict, not calculate, the sign of entropy
change in the reactions. The factors that lead to an increase in
entropy are: (1) a transition from a condensed phase to the
vapor phase and (2) a reaction that produces more product
molecules than reactant molecules in the same phase. It is also
important to compare the relative complexity of the product and
reactant molecules. In general, the more complex the molecular
structure, the greater the entropy of the compound.

23

Example 17.3
Solution
(a) Two reactant molecules combine to form one product
molecule. Even though H2O is a more complex molecule
than either H2 and O2, the fact that there is a net decrease
of one molecule and gases are converted to liquid ensures
that the number of microstates will be diminished and hence
S is negative.
(b) A solid is converted to two gaseous products. Therefore,
S is positive.

24

Example 17.3

(c) The same number of molecules is involved in the reactants

as in the product. Furthermore, all molecules are diatomic
and therefore of similar complexity. As a result, we cannot
predict the sign of S, but we know that the change must
be quite small in magnitude.

25

Entropy Changes in the Surroundings (Ssurr)

Exothermic Process
Ssurr > 0

Endothermic Process
Ssurr < 0
26

Third Law of Thermodynamics

The entropy of a perfect crystalline substance is zero at the
absolute zero of temperature.

S = k ln W
W=1
S=0

27

Gibbs Free Energy

Spontaneous process:

Suniv = Ssys + Ssurr > 0

Equilibrium process:

Suniv = Ssys + Ssurr = 0

Gibbs free
energy (G)

For a constant temperature and

constant pressure process:
G = Hsys -TSsys

G < 0

The reaction is spontaneous in the forward direction.

G > 0

The reaction is nonspontaneous as written. The

reaction is spontaneous in the reverse direction.

G = 0

The reaction is at equilibrium.

28

The standard free-energy of reaction ( G0rxn) is the freeenergy change for a reaction when it occurs under standardstate conditions.
aA + bB

cC + dD

0
Grxn
= [ cG0f (C) + dG0f (D) ] - [ aG0f (A) + bG0f (B) ]
0
Grxn
= nG0f (products) - mG0f (reactants)

Standard free energy of formation (G0f ) is the free-energy

change that occurs when 1 mole of the compound is formed
from its elements in their standard states.
G0f of any element in its stable form is zero.
29

30

Example 17.4

Calculate the standard free-energy changes for the following

reactions at 25C.
(a) CH4(g) + 2O2(g)
(b) 2MgO(s)

CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
2Mg(s) + O2(g)

31

Example 17.4
Strategy
To calculate the standard free-energy change of a reaction, we
look up the standard free energies of formation of reactants and
products in Appendix 3 and apply Equation (17.12). Note that all
the stoichiometric coefficients have no units so Grxn is
expressed in units of kJ/mol, and Gf for O2 is zero because it
is the stable allotropic element at 1 atm and 25C.

32

Example 17.4
Solution
(a)According to Equation (17.12), we write
Grxn = [Gf (CO2) + 2Gf (H2O)] - [Gf (CH4) + 2Gf (O2)]
We insert the appropriate values from Appendix 3:
Grxn =[(-394.4 kJ/mol) + (2)(-237.2 kJ/mol)] [(-50.8 kJ/mol) + (2) (0 kJ/mol)]
= -818.0 kJ/mol
33

Example 17.4
(b) The equation is
Grxn = [2Gf (Mg) + Gf (O2)] - [2Gf (MgO)]
From data in Appendix 3 we write
Grxn = [(2)(0 kJ/mol) + (0 kJ/mol)] - [(2)(-569.6 kJ/mol)]
= 1139 kJ/mol

34

Chemistry In Action: The Efficiency of Heat Engines

Efficiency =

Th - Tc
X 100%
Th

35

G = H - TS

36

Temperature and Spontaneity of Chemical Reactions

CaCO3 (s)

CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

Equilibrium Pressure of CO2

H0 = 177.8 kJ/mol
S0 = 160.5 J/Kmol
G0 = H0 TS0
At 25 oC, G0 = 130.0 kJ/mol
G0 = 0 at 835 oC

37

Gibbs Free Energy and Phase Transitions

G0 = 0 = H0 TS0

H2O (l)

H2O (g)

S =

H
40.79 kJ/mol
=
T
373 K
= 1.09 x 10-1 kJ/Kmol
= 109 J/Kmol
38

Example 17.5

The molar heats of fusion and vaporization of benzene are

10.9 kJ/mol and 31.0 kJ/mol, respectively. Calculate the entropy
changes for the solid liquid and liquid vapor transitions for
benzene. At 1 atm pressure, benzene melts at 5.5C and boils
at 80.1C.

39

Example 17.5
Strategy
At the melting point, liquid and solid benzene are at equilibrium,
so G = 0. From Equation (17.10) we have G = 0 =
H - T S or S = H/T. To calculate the entropy change for
the solid benzene liquid benzene transition, we write
Sfus = Hfus/Tf. Here Hfus is positive for an endothermic
process, so Sfus is also positive, as expected for a solid to
liquid transition. The same procedure applies to the liquid
benzene vapor benzene transition. What temperature unit
should be used?

40

Example 17.5
Solution
The entropy change for melting 1 mole of benzene at 5.5C is

Sfus

H fus
=
Tf
(10.9 kJ/mol)(1000 J/1 kJ)
=
(5.5 + 273)K
= 39.1 J / K mol

41

Example 17.5
Similarly, the entropy change for boiling 1 mole of benzene at
80.1C is
S vap =

H vap
Tb

(31.0 kJ/mol)(1000 J/1 kJ)

=
(80.1 + 273)K
= 87.8 J / K mol

Check Because vaporization creates more microstates than the

melting process, Svap > Sfus.
42

Gibbs Free Energy and Chemical Equilibrium

G = G0 + RT lnQ
R is the gas constant (8.314 J/Kmol)
T is the absolute temperature (K)
Q is the reaction quotient
At Equilibrium
G = 0

Q=K

0 = G0 + RT lnK
G0 = RT lnK
43

Free Energy Versus Extent of Reaction

G0 < 0

G0 > 0
44

G0 = RT lnK

45

Example 17.6

Using data listed in Appendix 3, calculate the equilibrium

constant (KP) for the following reaction at 25C:
2H2O(l)

2H2(g) + O2(g)

46

Example 17.6
Strategy
According to Equation (17.14), the equilibrium constant for the
reaction is related to the standard free-energy change; that is,
G = -RT ln K. Therefore, we first need to calculate G by
following the procedure in Example 17.4. Then we can
calculate KP. What temperature unit should be used?

47

Example 17.6
Solution According to Equation (17.12),
Grxn = [2Gf(H2) + Gf(O2)] - [2Gf(H2O)]
= [(2)(0 kJ/mol) + (0 kJ/mol)] - [(2)(-237.2 kJ/mol)]
= 474.4 kJ/mol
Using Equation (17.14)
o
Grxn
= -RTlnK p

1000 J
474.4 kJ/mol
= -(8.314J/K mol)(298 K)lnK p
1 kJ
lnK p = -191.5
K p e 191.5 = 7 10-84
48

Example 17.6

Comment
This extremely small equilibrium constant is consistent with the
fact that water does not spontaneously decompose into
hydrogen and oxygen gases at 25C. Thus, a large positive
G favors reactants over products at equilibrium.

49

Example 17.7

In Chapter 16 we discussed the solubility product of slightly

soluble substances. Using the solubility product of silver
chloride at 25C (1.6 x 10-10), calculate G for the process
AgCl(s)

Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

50

Example 17.7
Strategy
According to Equation (17.14), the equilibrium constant for the
reaction is related to standard free-energy change; that is,
G = -RT ln K. Because this is a heterogeneous equilibrium,
the solubility product (Ksp) is the equilibrium constant. We
calculate the standard free-energy change from the Ksp value of
AgCl. What temperature unit should be used?

51

Example 17.7
Solution The solubility equilibrium for AgCl is
AgCl(s)
Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Ksp = [Ag+][Cl-] = 1.6 x 10-10
Using Equation (17.14) we obtain
G = -(8.314 J/Kmol) (298 K) ln (1.6 x 10-10)
= 5.6 x 104 J/mol
= 56 kJ/mol
Check The large, positive G indicates that AgCl is slightly
soluble and that the equilibrium lies mostly to the left.
52

Example 17.8
The equilibrium constant (KP) for the reaction
N2O4(g)

2NO2(g)

is 0.113 at 298 K, which corresponds to a standard free-energy

change of 5.40 kJ/mol. In a certain experiment, the initial
pressures are PNO = 0.122 atm and PN O = 0.453 atm.
2

2 4

Calculate G for the reaction at these pressures and predict the

direction of the net reaction toward equilibrium.

53

Example 17.8
Strategy
From the information given we see that neither the reactant nor
the product is at its standard state of 1 atm. To determine the
direction of the net reaction, we need to calculate the freeenergy change under nonstandard-state conditions (G) using
Equation (17.13) and the given G value. Note that the partial
pressures are expressed as dimensionless quantities in the
reaction quotient QP because they are divided by the
standard-state value of 1 atm (see Table 17.2).

54

Example 17.8
Solution Equation (17.13) can be written as
G = G o + RTlnQp
= G o + RTln

2
PNO
2

PN 2O4

(0.122) 2
= 5.40 10 J/mol + (8.314J/K mol)(298 K) ln
0.453
= 5.40 103 J/mol - 8.46 103 J/mol
3

= -3.06 103J/mol = - 3.06kJ / mol

Because G < 0, the net reaction proceeds from left to right to

reach equilibrium.
55

Example 17.8

Check
Note that although G > 0, the reaction can be made to favor
product formation initially by having a small concentration
(pressure) of the product compared to that of the reactant.
Confirm the prediction by showing that QP < KP.

56

Chemistry In Action: The Thermodynamics of a Rubber Band

TS = H - G

High Entropy

Low Entropy

57

Mechanical Analog of Coupled Reactions

Make the smaller weight move upward (a nonspontaneous

process) by coupling it with the falling of a larger weight.

58

The Structure of ATP and ADP in Ionized Forms

59

Coupled Reactions

Example:

Alanine + Glycine
G0 = +29 kJ

ATP + H2O + Alanine + Glycine

G0 = -2 kJ

Alanylglycine
K<1
ADP + H3PO4 + Alanylglycine
K>1

60