How can you tell if a reaction is feasible and what factors contribute towards this?

A reaction is said to be feasible or spontaneous when the Gibbs Free Energy (Delta G) of the reaction is <0. Conversely, when the Gibbs Free Energy (Delta G) of the reaction is >0, a reaction is said to be unfeasible or non-spontaneous. The value of Delta G is highly dependant on the entropy change (Delta S), the enthalpy change (Delta H) and the temperature (T) at which the reaction is occuring. These are related to eachother in the following equation:Delta G = Delta H - T Delta SThis equation shows that the enthalpy isn't temperature dependant, but that the entropy is. The reaction is always said to be feasible when Delta H is negative and Delta S is positive. This means that the reaction is exothermic (-ve Delta H) and results in an increase in the moles of products compared to reactants. The exact opposite is true when Delta H is positive and Delta S is negative. Reactions are said to be unfeasible in this case where the reaction is endothermic (+ve Delta H) and results in a decrease in moles of products compared to the reactants. In both of these cases, the temperature of the reactions has no bearing on the feasibility of the reaction.However, in the intermediate sitaution where either enthalpy or entropy promotes feasibility of the reaction and the other doesn't, temperature plays a significant role in whether the reaction will take place or not. An example of this is when both Delta H and Delta S are negative. In this case, Delta H favours a spontaneous reaction and Delta S hinders this. This means that an increase in T will increase the magnitude of Delta S with respect to Delta H resulting in the reaction becoming less favourable. The opposite is true for a decrease in T and for the opposite sitaution where both Delta H and Delta S are positive.

JR
Answered by Jamie R. Chemistry tutor

14519 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the products of the following Friedl-Crafts substitution and explain the role of the AlCl3 in the reaction: C6H6 + CH3C(O)Cl + AlCl3 = ?


When an unsymmetrical alkene undergoes electrophilic addition you often get a major and minor product. What would the major product be when propene reacts with hydrochloric acid? Why is this?


Describe the mechanism for bromination across a double bond


Explain why the atomic radii of the elements decrease across Period 3 from sodium to chlorine


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences