Gibbs Free Energy and maximum work

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SUMMARY

The Gibbs free energy (G) represents the maximum amount of non-expansion work extractable from a closed system, achievable only through a completely reversible process. This maximum work is expressed as G = H - TS, where T is temperature and S is entropy. The discussion emphasizes that the change in Gibbs free energy is relevant only for isothermal processes, where ΔG equals the heat released by the system divided by temperature. Additionally, it clarifies that the term TΔS is part of the internal energy change, which is essential for calculating useful work from internal energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gibbs free energy and its formula (G = H - TS)
  • Knowledge of isothermal processes in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with concepts of entropy (S) and internal energy (U)
  • Basic principles of reversible processes in thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of Gibbs free energy in chemical reactions
  • Study the relationship between entropy and spontaneity in thermodynamic processes
  • Investigate the role of temperature in isothermal processes
  • Learn about potential energy in chemical bonding and its relation to work done in reactions
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Chemists, chemical engineers, and students of thermodynamics seeking to understand the principles of Gibbs free energy and its applications in predicting reaction spontaneity and work extraction in chemical systems.

tonyjk
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Hello,
The Gibbs free energy is the maximum amount of non-expansion work that can be extracted from a closed system; this maximum can be attained only in a completely reversible process. This maximum work is equal to H-TS. My question is this TS energy is what kind of energy? and from where it will come if it is not from the internal energy of the system?

Thank you
 
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The change of G is only the maximum work if the process is isothermal. Then ##\Delta TS=T\Delta S## and, as the process is reversible, the change of entropy of the system has to equal the change of entropy of the environment, which is ## \Delta S = Q/T##. So basically you are substracting the heat released by the system from the change in energy to get the work, only.
 
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DrDu said:
The change of G is only the maximum work if the process is isothermal. Then ##\Delta TS=T\Delta S## and, as the process is reversible, the change of entropy of the system has to equal the change of entropy of the environment, which is ## \Delta S = Q/T##. So basically you are substracting the heat released by the system from the change in energy to get the work, only.
But the change of internal energy is it also the heat generated by the system?
 
DrDu said:
The change of G is only the maximum work if the process is isothermal. Then ##\Delta TS=T\Delta S## and, as the process is reversible, the change of entropy of the system has to equal the change of entropy of the environment, which is ## \Delta S = Q/T##. So basically you are substracting the heat released by the system from the change in energy to get the work, only.
Ah you mean ##T\Delta S## is part of change of internal energy of the system thus subtracting to ##\Delta H## you will get the useful work from internal energy right?
 
tonyjk said:
Ah you mean ##T\Delta S## is part of change of internal energy of the system thus subtracting to ##\Delta H## you will get the useful work from internal energy right?
Yes, exactly.
 
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Just a last question,

Gibbs free energy used in chemical reactions; excluding oxydo-reduction reaction, is only used to know if the reaction is spontaneous or not and does not have any physical meaning? If It has, what is work done by a chemical reaction? Is it related to potential energy due to chemical bonding?

Thank you
 
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