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I have studied thermodynamics, in which the infamous Gibbs equation came.

$$ \mathrm{d}G = \mathrm{d}H - T\,\mathrm{d}S $$

Then my book said the criteria of spontaneity based on gibbs energy is at constant pressure and temperature.

Since $T\,\mathrm{d}S = q = \mathrm{d}H$ (since at constant pressure $\mathrm{d}H = q$), shouldn't $\mathrm{d}G$ all always be equal to $0$?

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  • $\begingroup$ This is quite a different kind of dS. $\endgroup$ Dec 22, 2016 at 13:41
  • $\begingroup$ Can you please elaborate? $\endgroup$ Dec 22, 2016 at 13:42
  • $\begingroup$ dS in TdS=q is the enthropy change of a system upon introducing some heat. dS in Gibbs is the enthropy change during a chemical reaction. $\endgroup$ Dec 22, 2016 at 14:36

2 Answers 2

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That is not the Gibbs Free Energy at constant pressure and temperature.

Alphabetic soup definitions:

  • $G$ - Gibbs free energy
  • $H$ - enthalpy
  • $T$ - temperature
  • $S$ - entropy
  • $P$ - pressure
  • $V$ - volume
  • $w$ - work
  • $q$ - heat
  • $U$ - internal energy

Definition of $G$ is $$G = H - TS$$

Definition of $H$ is $$H = U + PV$$

The total differential of $G$ is

$$dG = dU + PdV + VdP - TdS - SdT$$

The definition for the change in $U$ is $$dU = dq + dw$$

There are two kinds of work: pressure-volume work (pv) and non-pressure-volume work (non-pv)

$$dw = dw_{\mathrm{pv}} + dw_\mathrm{non-pv}$$

Thus, substituting we get

$$dG = dq - PdV + dw_\mathrm{non-pv} + PdV + VdP - TdS - SdT$$

If the process is (approximately) reversible: $$T =\dfrac{dq}{dS}$$

Substituting $q = TdS$ and simplifying, we get:

$$dG = VdP - SdT + dw_\mathrm{non-pv}$$

At constant pressure, $dP=0$, and at constant temperature $dT = 0$.

Therefore: $$dG = dw_\mathrm{non-pv}$$

Hence, Gibbs free energy is sort of a measure of useful work we can get out of a system.

$$w_\mathrm{non-pv\ by\ system} = - w_\mathrm{non-pv\ on\ system}$$

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  • $\begingroup$ Um what do u mean by pv and non pv? $\endgroup$ Dec 22, 2016 at 13:47
  • $\begingroup$ Pv work means pressure work, like F.ds is work, P.dv is work. Any other sort like electrical or gravitational work comes under non pv $\endgroup$
    – Mrigank
    Dec 23, 2016 at 2:10
  • $\begingroup$ Hello @Mrigank, so I can define the Gibbs free energy also when the temperature and the pressure are not constants?| Sorry for the banal question. $\endgroup$ Nov 14, 2019 at 21:05
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Although the answer @ELiT gave is the perfect answer, I would like to answer my own question. What a silly mistake I made!

$\mathrm{d}S = \frac{q}{T}$ only for reversible processes. In reversible processes, what I said is true, as $\mathrm{d}S_\text{total} = 0$, thus $\mathrm{d}G = 0$. But $\mathrm{d}S \neq \frac{q}{T}$ for non-reversible processes. Hence I cannot substitute that value here.

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  • $\begingroup$ Please use MathJax to typeset mathematical expressions! $\endgroup$
    – getafix
    Dec 22, 2016 at 15:10
  • $\begingroup$ @getafix Sorry. I am on my mobile, and it is really hard for me to do so. Ill edit it once my computer is fixed $\endgroup$ Dec 22, 2016 at 15:11

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