What is Gibbs energy?

A state function defined by G = H − TS. At constant temperature and pressure, changes proceed spontaneously in the direction that lowers G, and the state of minimum G is equilibrium.

Japanese name: ギブスエネルギー

Gibbs energy appears in 6 practice questions across 3 topics, including Thermodynamics of materials, Computational materials science, Battery and energy materials.

Field: Thermodynamics of materials

Try it: questions about Gibbs energy

The standard Gibbs energy change of the reaction forming liquid water from hydrogen and oxygen, H₂ + 1/2 O₂ → H₂O(l), is −237 kJ/mol at 25 °C. Which value is closest to the theoretical emf of a fuel cell using this reaction? Take the Faraday constant as 96485 C/mol.

  1. AAbout 2.46 V
  2. BAbout 1.23 V
  3. CAbout 0.61 V
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. About 1.23 V

The theoretical emf is E = −ΔG/(nF), and when 1 mol of H₂ reacts, 2 mol of electrons are transferred, so n = 2. E = 237×10³ / (2 × 96485) ≈ 1.23 V. About 2.46 V takes n = 1, and about 0.61 V combines the number of electrons per mole of O₂, n = 4, with ΔG per mole of H₂. The ratio of the Gibbs energy change to the enthalpy change of the reaction (−286 kJ/mol), 237/286 ≈ 83%, is a guide to the theoretical efficiency at 25 °C. In real cells, electrode overpotentials and electrolyte resistance lower the operating voltage to about 0.6–0.8 V.

Which statement about the Gibbs energy of mixing of an ideal solution (ideal solid solution), ΔG_mix = RT[x ln x + (1 − x) ln(1 − x)], is correct? x is the mole fraction of one component.

  1. AIt is negative at all compositions and its slope tends to minus infinity as x → 0, so a tiny amount of solute dissolves in any substance
  2. BIt arises from the enthalpy of mixing, so it is independent of temperature and turns positive at some compositions, causing separation
  3. CIt reaches its largest positive value at x = 0.5, and compositions close to a pure substance mix less readily
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. It is negative at all compositions and its slope tends to minus infinity as x → 0, so a tiny amount of solute dissolves in any substance

In an ideal solution the enthalpy of mixing is 0, and ΔG_mix = −TΔS_mix arises only from the entropy of mixing. For 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative, so ΔG_mix is negative at all compositions and takes its minimum value RT ln 0.5 at x = 0.5 (about −5.76 kJ/mol at 1000 K). As x → 0, the slope d(ΔG_mix)/dx = RT ln[x/(1 − x)] tends to minus infinity, so dissolving even a tiny amount of solute always lowers the free energy. This is the thermodynamic reason why it is difficult to make a perfectly pure substance. ΔG_mix is proportional to T and has nothing to do with enthalpy. What is largest at x = 0.5 is the entropy of mixing; ΔG_mix is at its minimum there.

Gibbs energy in the explanations

Questions that mention Gibbs energy (6)

  1. The standard Gibbs energy change of the reaction forming liquid water from hydrogen and oxygen, H₂ + 1/2 O₂ → H₂O(l), is −237 kJ/mol at 25 °C. Which value is closest to the theoretical emf of a fuel cell using this reaction? Take the Faraday constant as 96485 C/mol.
  2. Which statement about the Gibbs energy of mixing of an ideal solution (ideal solid solution), ΔG_mix = RT[x ln x + (1 − x) ln(1 − x)], is correct? x is the mole fraction of one component.
  3. At constant temperature and pressure, which quantity and condition correctly determine whether a change in a closed system proceeds spontaneously?
  4. At constant temperature and pressure, which is the correct condition for an α phase and a β phase of a binary system to coexist in equilibrium?
  5. Which statement about the CALPHAD method is correct?
  6. The CALPHAD method is used to predict the precipitating phases and their fractions in a nickel-based superalloy or steel containing close to ten elements. Which combination of the underlying idea and a caution is correct?

Related terms

CALPHAD method Entropy of mixing Density functional theory Nickel-based superalloy Activity Chemical potential Ellingham diagram Equilibrium oxygen partial pressure Regular solution Spinodal decomposition

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