Gibbs Free Energy and maximum work

AI Thread Summary
Gibbs free energy represents the maximum non-expansion work obtainable from a closed system, achievable only through a reversible process. The term TS in the Gibbs free energy equation refers to the energy associated with entropy, which is derived from the heat exchanged during the process. For isothermal processes, the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) reflects the maximum work, factoring in the heat released by the system. Additionally, the relationship between Gibbs free energy and chemical reactions indicates its role in determining spontaneity, but its physical meaning in terms of work done by a reaction is less clear. The discussion highlights the connection between Gibbs free energy, internal energy, and the potential energy related to chemical bonding.
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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