Question

What must be true of the free energy change, trangle G, for a reaction to be spontaneous?

A) It must be negative

B) it must be greater than the change in entropy

C) It is dominated by the enthalpy change, (triangle H)

D) It must be driven by a large change in both entropy and enthalpy

E. It must be positive

Answer 1

A) It must be negative --> true, it must be negative, at its min. so it favours disorder in universe

B) it must be greater than the change in entropy --> false, no need to refer to entropy

C) It is dominated by the enthalpy change, (triangle H) --> false, just needs to be negative overall

D) It must be driven by a large change in both entropy and enthalpy --> false, no need to this, requirement is dG < 0

E. It must be positive --> this is actually reverse reaction/process