Gibbs Free Energy Questions

Thermodynamics

Gibbs Free Energy & Feasibility
Reference Data Tables (Click to Open)

Table 1: Reaction Entropies ($\Delta S$)

Reaction$\Delta S$ / J K-1 mol-1
$\frac{1}{2}N_2(g) + \frac{3}{2}H_2(g) \rightarrow NH_3(g)$-98.9
$4NH_3(g) + 5O_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 4NO(g) + 6H_2O(g)$181.0
$P_2O_5(s) + 3H_2O(l) \rightarrow 2H_3PO_4(aq)$270.4
$C_2H_6(g) + 3.5O_2(g) \rightarrow 2CO_2(g) + 3H_2O(l)$-285
$(CH_3CO)_2O(g) \rightarrow H_2C=C=O(g) + CH_3COOH(g)$111.84

Table 2: Reaction Enthalpies ($\Delta H$)

Reaction$\Delta H$ / kJ mol-1
$\Delta H_f$ of $NH_3$-46.1
$\Delta H_r$ of $4NH_3(g) + 5O_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 4NO(g) + 6H_2O(g)$-905.2
$\Delta H_r$ of $P_2O_5(s) + 3H_2O(l) \rightarrow 2H_3PO_4(aq)$-96.2
$\Delta H_c$ of $C_2H_6$-1561
$\Delta H_r$ of $(CH_3CO)_2O(g) \rightarrow H_2C=C=O(g) + CH_3COOH(g)$83.4

Table 3: Formation, Combustion & Vaporisation Data

Substance / Reaction$\Delta H$ / kJ mol-1Substance / Reaction$\Delta H$ / kJ mol-1
$\Delta H_c$ $C_2H_4(l)$-1411$\Delta H_f$ CO110.5
$\Delta H_c$ $C_4H_{10}(g)$-2877.3$\Delta H_f$ $CO_2$-393.5
$\Delta H_c$ Ethane-1560$\Delta H_f$ $H_2O$-285.8
$\Delta H_c$ Ethene-1411.20$\Delta H_f$ Iron (III) oxide-825.50
$\Delta H_c$ Hydrogen-285.8$\Delta H_f$ $MgCO_3$-1111
$\Delta H_f$ butan-1-ol-328$\Delta H_f$ MgO-601.6
$\Delta H_f$ $C_2H_4$-84.0$\Delta H_f$ $O_3$142.7
$\Delta H_f$ $C_2H_5OH$-269.3$\Delta H_f$ Phosphorus acid-1284
$\Delta H_f$ $C_4H_{10}$-124.7$\Delta H_f$ $PCl_3$-306.0
$\Delta H_f$ $CaCO_3$-1206.9$\Delta H_{vap}$ $C_2H_5OH(l)$38.60
$\Delta H_f$ CaO-635$\Delta H_{vap}$ $C_6H_{14}(l)$28.90
$\Delta H_f$ $CH_3OH$-205$\Delta H_{vap}$ $H_2O(l)$40.70
$\Delta H_f$ chlorobutane-188.2

Table 4: Entropies of Substances ($S$)

SubstanceS / J K-1 mol-1SubstanceS / J K-1 mol-1
1-Chlorobutane (l)375.6Iron (III) oxide (s)87.40
Butan-1-ol (l)225.7Iron (s)27.28
Butane (g)310.0Methanol (l)127.2
Calcium carbonate (s)92.90Oxygen (g)205.2
Calcium oxide (s)39.70Oxygen difluoride (g)247.5
Carbon Dioxide (g)213.8Ozone (g)238.9
Carbon monoxide (g)197.7Phosphorus acid (s)110.5
Ethane (g)229.5Phosphorus (III) chloride (l)124.6
Ethanol (g)160.7Sulfur hexafluoride (g)291.5
Ethene (g)219.3Sulfur oxyfluoride (g)283.6
Fluorine (g)202.8Sulfur trioxide (g)256.8
Hexane (g)388.8Tridecane (l)522.9
Hexane (l)296.0Undecane (l)464.0
Hydrogen (g)130.7Water (g)188.8
Water (l)69.95

Table 5: Bond Enthalpies

Bond$\Delta H$ / kJ mol-1
C-C348
C=O740
C-H412
O=O498
O-H464
S=O495
S-F327
1. Calculate $\Delta G$ of the following reactions and state whether they are feasible given the temperature, $\Delta H$ and $\Delta S$. (Use Tables 1 & 2).
a) ½N₂(g) + 1.5H₂(g) → NH₃(g) at 200°C
Step 1: Convert Units
Temperature: $200^\circ C + 273 = 473 \text{ K}$
$\Delta S$: $-98.9 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1} = -0.0989 \text{ kJ K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
$\Delta H$: $-46.1 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = \Delta H – T\Delta S$
$\Delta G = -46.1 – (473 \times -0.0989)$
$\Delta G = -46.1 – (-46.78) = +0.68 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Reaction Not Feasible (since $\Delta G > 0$)
b) 4NH₃(g) + 5O₂(g) ⇌ 4NO(g) + 6H₂O(g) at 298 K
Step 1: Identify Data
$\Delta H = -905.2 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\Delta S = 181.0 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1} = 0.181 \text{ kJ K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = -905.2 – (298 \times 0.181)$
$\Delta G = -905.2 – 53.94 = -959.1 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Reaction Feasible (Exothermic & Entropy Increase)
c) P₄O₁₀(s) + 6H₂O(l) → 4H₃PO₄(aq) at 25°C

Note: The stoichiometry in the question is double the reaction provided in Tables 1 & 2. We must double the data values.

Step 1: Adjust Data for Stoichiometry
$\Delta H = 2 \times -96.2 = -192.4 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\Delta S = 2 \times 270.4 = 540.8 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1} = 0.5408 \text{ kJ K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
$T = 298 \text{ K}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = -192.4 – (298 \times 0.5408)$
$\Delta G = -192.4 – 161.2 = -353.6 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Reaction Feasible
d) C₂H₆(g) + 3.5O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(l) at 298 K
Step 1: Identify Data
$\Delta H = -1561 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\Delta S = -285 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1} = -0.285 \text{ kJ K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = -1561 – (298 \times -0.285)$
$\Delta G = -1561 + 84.9 = -1476 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Reaction Feasible
e) (CH₃CO)₂O(g) → H₂C=C=O(g) + CH₃COOH(g) at 100°C
Step 1: Identify Data & Convert Units
$\Delta H = 83.4 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\Delta S = 111.84 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1} = 0.11184 \text{ kJ K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
$T = 100 + 273 = 373 \text{ K}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = 83.4 – (373 \times 0.11184)$
$\Delta G = 83.4 – 41.7 = +41.7 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
Reaction Not Feasible
2. Calculate $\Delta G$ of the following reactions and state whether they are feasible given the temperature, enthalpy and entropy data given in the tables.
a) CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) + CO₂(g) at 298 K
Handwritten solution for 2a
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = [\Delta H_f(CaO) + \Delta H_f(CO_2)] – \Delta H_f(CaCO_3)$
$\Delta H = [-635 + (-393.5)] – [-1206.9] = \mathbf{+178.4 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [S(CaO) + S(CO_2)] – S(CaCO_3)$
$\Delta S = [39.7 + 213.8] – 92.9 = \mathbf{+160.6 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = 178.4 – (298 \times 0.1606) = 178.4 – 47.9 = \mathbf{+130.5 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Reaction Not Feasible
b) C₄H₁₀(g) + 4.5O₂(g) → 4CO(g) + 5H₂O(l) at 80°C
Handwritten solution for 2b
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = [4(\Delta H_f CO) + 5(\Delta H_f H_2O)] – [\Delta H_f C_4H_{10}]$
$\Delta H = [4(110.5) + 5(-285.8)] – [-124.7]$
$\Delta H = [442 – 1429] + 124.7 = \mathbf{-862.3 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [4(S_{CO}) + 5(S_{H2O})] – [S_{Butane} + 4.5(S_{O2})]$
$\Delta S = [4(197.7) + 5(69.95)] – [310.0 + 4.5(205.2)]$
$\Delta S = 1140.6 – 1233.4 = \mathbf{-92.8 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate $\Delta G$
$T = 80 + 273 = 353 \text{ K}$
$\Delta G = -862.3 – (353 \times -0.0928) = -862.3 + 32.8 = \mathbf{-829.5 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Reaction Feasible
c) SF₆(g) + 2SO₃(g) → 3SO₂F₂(g) at 25°C
Handwritten solution for 2c
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
Using Bond Enthalpies (Break – Make):
  • Break: 6(S-F) + 2(3 S=O) = 6(327) + 6(495) = 4932
  • Make: 3(2 S=O + 2 S-F) = 6(495) + 6(327) = 4932
$\Delta H = 4932 – 4932 = \mathbf{0 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [3(283.6)] – [291.5 + 2(256.8)]$
$\Delta S = 850.8 – 805.1 = \mathbf{+45.7 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate $\Delta G$
$\Delta G = 0 – (298 \times 0.0457) = \mathbf{-13.6 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Reaction Feasible
d) C₂H₄(g) + H₂O(g) → C₂H₅OH(g) at 150°C
Handwritten solution for 2d
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$ (Gas Phase)
$\Delta H_f(g) = \Delta H_f(l) + \Delta H_{vap}$
  • $\Delta H_f$ Ethanol(g) = $-269.3 + 38.6 = -230.7$
  • $\Delta H_f$ Water(g) = $-285.8 + 40.7 = -245.1$
$\Delta H_{rxn} = [-230.7] – [-84.0 + (-245.1)] = -230.7 – (-329.1) = \mathbf{+98.4 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = 160.7 – (219.3 + 188.8) = \mathbf{-247.4 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate $\Delta G$
$T = 150 + 273 = 423 \text{ K}$
$\Delta G = 98.4 – (423 \times -0.2474) = 98.4 + 104.7 = \mathbf{+203.1 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Reaction Not Feasible
e) C₆H₁₄(g) → C₄H₁₀(g) + C₂H₄(g) at 400°C
Handwritten solution for 2e
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$ (Bond Enthalpies)
Net Change: Break 2 C-C. Form 1 C=C.
$\Delta H \approx [2(348)] – [612] = 696 – 612 = \mathbf{+84 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [310.0 + 219.3] – 388.8 = \mathbf{+140.5 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate $\Delta G$
$T = 400 + 273 = 673 \text{ K}$
$\Delta G = 84 – (673 \times 0.1405) = 84 – 94.6 = \mathbf{-10.6 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Reaction Feasible
3. Calculate the range of temperatures at which the following reactions are feasible.
a) 2FeO(s) + O₂(g) → Fe₂O₃(s)
Data
$\Delta S = -172.3 \text{ J K}^{-1}$ (Negative)
$\Delta H = -109.8 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$ (Exothermic)
Calculation
Since $\Delta S$ is negative, feasible at low temperatures.
$T < \frac{\Delta H}{\Delta S} = \frac{-109.8}{-0.1723}$
$T < 637 \text{ K}$
b) 3CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH(l) + PCl₃(l) → 3CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl(l) + H₃PO₃(s)
Handwritten solution for 3b
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = [3(-188.2) + (-1284)] – [3(-328) + (-306)]$
$\Delta H = -1848.6 – (-1290) = \mathbf{-558.6 \text{ kJ}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [3(375.6) + 110.5] – [3(225.7) + 124.6]$
$\Delta S = 1237.3 – 801.7 = \mathbf{+435.6 \text{ J K}^{-1}}$
Feasible at ALL temperatures (since $\Delta H < 0, \Delta S > 0$)
c) C₂H₄(g) + H₂(g) → C₂H₆(g)
Handwritten solution for 3c
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$ (Combustion Data)
$\Delta H_c(\text{Reactants}) – \Delta H_c(\text{Products})$
$\Delta H = [-1411.2 + (-285.8)] – [-1560]$
$\Delta H = -1697 + 1560 = \mathbf{-137 \text{ kJ}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = 229.5 – (219.3 + 130.7) = \mathbf{-120.5 \text{ J K}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate Range
Both negative, so feasible at lower temperatures.
$T < \frac{-137}{-0.1205}$
$T < 1137 \text{ K}$
d) Fe₂O₃(s) + 3H₂(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3H₂O(g)
Handwritten solution for 3d
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = [2(0) + 3(-245.1)] – [-825.5]$
$\Delta H = -735.3 + 825.5 = \mathbf{+90.2 \text{ kJ}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [2(27.3) + 3(188.8)] – [87.4 + 3(130.7)]$
$\Delta S = 621 – 479.5 = \mathbf{+141.5 \text{ J K}^{-1}}$
Step 3: Calculate Range
Both positive, feasible at high temperatures.
$T > \frac{90.2}{0.1415}$
$T > 637.5 \text{ K}$
e) 2O₃(g) → 3O₂(g)
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = 3(0) – 2(142.7) = \mathbf{-285.4 \text{ kJ}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = 3(205.2) – 2(238.9) = \mathbf{+137.8 \text{ J K}^{-1}}$
Feasible at ALL temperatures (since $\Delta H < 0, \Delta S > 0$)
4. Calculate the following data based on the information in the table.
a) ΔH of C₁₃H₂₈(l) → C₂H₄(g) + C₁₁H₂₄(l)
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = [219.3 + 464.0] – 522.9 = \mathbf{+160.4 \text{ J K}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta H$
Given $\Delta G = -81.3$ at 298 K
$\Delta H = \Delta G + T\Delta S$
$\Delta H = -81.3 + (298 \times 0.1604) = -81.3 + 47.8$
$\Delta H = -33.5 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
b) ΔS of MgCO₃(s) → MgO(s) + CO₂(g)
Handwritten solution for 4b
Step 1: Calculate $\Delta H$
$\Delta H = [-601.6 + (-393.5)] – [-1111] = \mathbf{+115.9 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Calculate $\Delta S$
$\Delta S = \frac{\Delta H – \Delta G}{T}$
$\Delta S = \frac{115.9 – (-143.6)}{298} = \frac{259.5}{298} = \mathbf{0.871 \text{ kJ K}^{-1}}$
$\Delta S = 871 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{mol}^{-1}$
5. Calculate the mean bond enthalpy of the C-H bond in ethane (C₂H₆). Use the enthalpy of combustion of ethane and the enthalpy of vaporization of water from Table 3. Use Table 5 for other bond enthalpies.
Step 1: Calculate Gas Phase Reaction Enthalpy
$\Delta H_c(\text{Ethane}) = -1560 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$ (to liquid water).
Convert to gas: $\Delta H_r = \Delta H_c + 3 \times \Delta H_{vap}(H_2O)$
$\Delta H_r = -1560 + 3(40.7) = \mathbf{-1437.9 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}}$
Step 2: Set up Bond Enthalpy Equation
Reaction: $C_2H_6(g) + 3.5 O_2(g) \rightarrow 2 CO_2(g) + 3 H_2O(g)$
  • Break: 1(C-C) + 6(C-H) + 3.5(O=O)
  • Make: 4(C=O) + 6(O-H)
Step 3: Substitute & Solve for E(C-H)
Break = $348 + 6x + 3.5(498) = 2091 + 6x$
Make = $4(740) + 6(464) = 5744$
$\Delta H_r = \text{Break} – \text{Make}$
$-1437.9 = (2091 + 6x) – 5744$
$-1437.9 = 6x – 3653$
$6x = 2215.1$
C-H Bond Enthalpy = 369.2 kJ mol-1