# Gibbs free energy of formation vs. Gibbs free energy of reaction?

Consider the following reaction:

$$\ce{A(s) + B(s) <=> AB(s)}.$$

I know there might be kinetic limitations but I am only interested in thermodynamic relations.

In general, the Gibbs free energy of reaction reads:

$$\Delta G = \Delta G^⦵ + RT\ln{\prod a_i^{\nu_i}}$$

and for the given reaction:

$$\Delta G = \Delta G^⦵ + RT\ln{\frac{a_\ce{AB}}{a_\ce{A}\cdot a_\ce{B}}} \label{eqn:1}\tag{1}$$

Since all components are pure solid substances, all activities equal 1 and therefore, $$\Delta G = \Delta G^⦵$$.

If $$A$$ and $$B$$ are elements, I found the following formula:

$$\Delta G_\mathrm{f}^⦵ = N\cdot RT\ln{\left(a_\ce{A}^{x_\ce{A}}a_\ce{B}^{x_\ce{B}}\right)} \label{eqn:2}\tag{2}$$

where $$N$$ is the total number of atoms and $$x_\ce{A}$$ and $$x_\ce{B}$$ are the mole fractions. To me, this latter formula implies, that the activities of $$\ce{A}$$ and $$\ce{B}$$ inside the product $$\ce{AB}$$ are of interest.

I have two questions:

1. What is the origin of the second formula $$\eqref{eqn:2}$$? In almost every source, the first type of Gibbs energy is used and I was not able to find any derivation. Also I think in principle, equation $$\eqref{eqn:1}$$ and $$\eqref{eqn:2}$$ should produce the same, but it looks very different!?

2. How does it come, that in one case the activity of the whole product $$\ce{AB}$$ is important and in another the single activities of the components of the product?

--------------------Update--------------------

Based on comments I'll try to reformulate my problem to make it more clear.

As I have learned, there should be no difference between the reaction product AB and the mixture of A and B with the corresponding stoichiometry (1:1). Is this valid in general or just for reactions like this (cf. my water-example in the comments)?

The transformation of equation (2) (in NightWriter's answer) shows, that it is an identity of the Gibbs free energy of mixing but in terms of moles of compound AB rather than in terms of moles of mixture.

If equation (1) describes the reaction (i.e. formation) of AB and equation (2) the mixing of A and B, and there is no difference between a product of reaction and the corresponding mixture of the two components to form that product, there must be some mathematical relation between equation (1) and equation (2). Furthermore, I am not certain, whether the standard-state symbol in equation (2) is correct or not.

After I read the answer and the comments again, I concluded the following: equation (1) describes the formation of AB and equation (2) the mixture of A and B at arbitrary compositions. So, if I set $$x_A = x_B =0.5$$, it should be possible to replace $$\Delta G^⦵$$ in equation (1) by $$\Delta G_f^⦵ = N\cdot RT\ln{a_A^{0.5}a_B^{0.5}}$$. $$N$$ must be chosen properly, since the two expressions are related to different things (mixture and compound). Is this correct?

• I don't think your reaction will reach equilibrium - it will go to completion (all products if the Gibbs free energy of reaction is negative, all reactants if it is positive). Only if the Gibbs free energy happens to be exactly zero, both reactants and products will be present, and the extent of reaction will be undefined. Mar 29, 2019 at 18:08

1. What is the origin of the second formula (2)?

Equation (2) evidently refers to the free energy of formation (at standard pressure) of a solid solution of A and B, in which case neither element is in its standard state as a product (so that $$a_i\neq 1$$). You can rewrite expression (2) as follows:

$$\Delta G_\mathrm{f}^\circ = nRT\ln{\left(a_\ce{A}^{x_\ce{A}}a_\ce{B}^{x_\ce{B}}\right)} = RT\ln{\left(a_\ce{A}^{x_\ce{A}}a_\ce{B}^{x_\ce{B}}\right)^n}= RT\ln{\left(a_\ce{A}^{nx_\ce{A}}a_\ce{B}^{nx_\ce{B}}\right)}= RT\ln{\left(a_\ce{A}^{n_\ce{A}}a_\ce{B}^{n_\ce{B}}\right)}$$

$$= n_\ce{A}RT\ln{a_\ce{A}+n_\ce{B}RT\ln{a_\ce{B}}}$$

where $$n$$ is the total number of moles ($$n=n_A+n_B$$).

Since the activity of the elements in pure solutions is 1 we can finally write

$$\Delta G_\mathrm{f}^\circ = n_\ce{A}\Delta G_{mA}+n_\ce{B}\Delta G_{mB}$$ where $$\Delta G_{mi} = G_{mi}-G_{mi}^\circ= n_\ce{i}RT\ln{\left(\frac{a_\ce{i}}{a_\ce{i}^\circ}\right)}$$.

However the most useful way to express this is as follows:

$$\Delta G_\mathrm{f}^\circ = (n_\ce{A}G_{mA}+n_\ce{A}G_{mB})-(n_\ce{B}G_{mA}^\circ+n_\ce{B}G_{mB}^\circ)$$

In words, the free energy change corresponds to mixing of $$n_\ce{A}$$ moles of pure A and $$n_\ce{B}$$ moles of pure B (the pure components having activity $$a_i^\circ=1$$) to form a mixture where the components have activities $$a_i$$.

1. How does it come, that in one case the activity of the whole product AB is important and in another the single activities of the components of the product?

Equation (1) refers to a molar free energy of formation of $$\ce{AB}$$ from reagents $$A$$ and $$B$$, all under the same constant (P,T, composition) conditions, whereas (2) refers to the free energy of formation of a solid solution of $$n_A$$ moles of A and $$n_B$$ moles of B from pure components. Equation (1) refers to combination of A and B at a 1:1 mole ratio, or equivalently reaction to form 1 mole of $$\ce{AB}$$ from $$n_A=n_B=\pu{1 mol}$$. Reaction (2) refers to mixture of A and B at any arbitrary ratio or total number of moles. Therefore equation (2) is in a way more general. Also, equation (1) refers to a differential process (transformation to form 1 mole of product under contant conditions) whereas (2) refers to an integral (mixing) process.

For the given reaction: $$\Delta G = \Delta G^⦵ + RT\ln{\frac{a_\ce{AB}}{a_\ce{A}\cdot a_\ce{B}}}$$ Since all components are pure solid substances, all activities equal 1 and therefore, $$\Delta G = \Delta G^⦵$$.

A comment on this: the fallacy here is to assume that $$a_i=1$$ at equilibrium. Only for the pure reagents and products in their standard states it is strictly required by definition that $$a_i=1$$.

Note also that since $$\Delta G^\circ = G_{mAB}^\circ-G_{mA}^\circ-G_{mB}^\circ$$ and $$G_{mi} = G_{mi}^\circ+RT\ln{\left(\frac{a_\ce{i}}{a_\ce{i}^\circ}\right)}$$ we can write

$$\Delta G = G_{mAB}-G_{mA}-G_{mB}$$

In words (and repeating myself), $$\Delta G$$ in this case is for the process of converting 1 total mole of $$A$$ and 1 mole of $$B$$ into 1 mole of $$AB$$, all at constant T, P and composition (or, equivalently, in a sufficiently large mixture, such that a 1 mole change in the amount of the substances does not change the properties).

Schematically, this is how I interpret the two processes, with equation 2 for mixing in the top, and the reaction of A and B to form AB in the bottom:

• So the second formula does not describe the reaction at all but a different process, that of mixing two miscible solids. Mar 29, 2019 at 18:10
• @KarstenTheis I think what you call a solid mixture versus a solid reaction product (with activity=1) is subject to some potential ambiguity unless you are careful with your definitions. Mar 29, 2019 at 18:15
• The reaction given by the OP shows a 1:1 stoichiometry. Formula two works for any mixing ratio. That is one of the differences between a compound and a mixture of elements. Mar 29, 2019 at 18:20
• @KarstenTheis Yes, that's true. That's pretty much included in my answer. Mar 29, 2019 at 18:27
• @NightWriter Is your first calculation correct? Shouldn't it read $\Delta G_f^\circ=N_A RT\ln{a_A}+N_B RT\ln{a_B}$, since $N_i=N\cdot x_i$ and $n_i=\frac{N_i}{N_{Av}}$? So, the first case is a reaction and the second case a mixture? How do I decide which case is the correct one for a given "reaction". For example two metals forming a intermetallic compound. In wide ranges of composition there is a mixture of A and B and at a specific stoichiometry there is a reaction? Mar 30, 2019 at 9:46