4
$\begingroup$

I am dealing with the dissociation of water into its components hydrogen and oxygen and I am trying to determine the standard Gibbs free energies of each component. My professor said if the substance is an ideal gas in the standard state then

$$g_{i}^{0}=g_{i}^{\text{pure IG}}(T, P_\text{ref})$$

Now this means I can determine it for hydrogen and oxygen because they can be treated as ideal gases, but how would I consider the standard Gibbs free energy for water?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

4
$\begingroup$

Let's look at the reaction of the formation of water:

$\ce{2H2(g) + O2(g) -> 2H2O (l) }$

The Gibb's Free Energy relates the spontaneity of various reactions by looking at the change in enthalpy, temperature, and entropy.

We can relate those by:

$$ \Delta G^\circ = \Delta H^\circ - T\Delta S^\circ$$

If we look at our reaction, it's clear that this is an exothermic reaction. Bonds are being formed as hydrogen gas and oxygen gas form water. Moles of gas are decreased and a liquid is formed so entropy is decreasing as well. We know that the formation of water is a spontaneous reaction, so $\Delta G^\circ$ must be negative. Therefore, this reaction must be run at temperatures where the difference of the enthalpy and the product of the entropy and temperature must be < 0.

The Gibbs free energy is also a state function, so looking at $\Delta G^\circ_f$, we can find $\Delta G^\circ_{rxn}$.

$$\Delta G^\circ_{rxn} = \Sigma \Delta G^\circ_{products} - \Sigma \Delta G^\circ_{reactants} $$

Both hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are in their standard states and have a Gibbs Free energy of 0. If you look at tabulated standard thermodynamic data at $25^\circ\ \text{C}$, $\ce{H2O (l)}$ has a Gibbs free energy of$ -237.13 \text{kJ}\cdot\text{mol}^{-1}$.

$$\Delta G^\circ_{rxn} = -237.13 \text{ kJ}\cdot\text{mol}^{-1} - 0 \text{ kJ}\cdot\text{mol}^{-1} = -237.13 \text{ kJ}\cdot\text{mol}^{-1} $$

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ @BenNorris Thank you very much. I forgot how to do the dots and was having trouble with the exponents. $\endgroup$
    – user3735
    Commented Feb 28, 2014 at 13:34

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.