Nitrogen reacts with fluorine to form nitrogen trifluoride: Calculate ∆G°, and determine whether the equilibrium composition should favor reactions or products at 25 °C (a) ∆G° = -6.7 kJ; the equilibrium composition should favor products. (b) ∆G° = -332 kJ; the equilibrium composition should favor reactants (c) ∆G° = -166 kJ; the equilibrium composition should favor products (d) ∆G° = +82.6 kJ; the equilbirum composiiton should favor reactants.

Key Concepts

Gibbs Free Energy (∆G)

Gibbs Free Energy (∆G) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic system at constant temperature and pressure. A negative ∆G indicates that a reaction is spontaneous and favors the formation of products, while a positive ∆G suggests that the reaction is non-spontaneous and favors the reactants.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant (K) is a dimensionless value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. The relationship between ∆G and K is given by the equation ∆G° = -RT ln(K), where R is the gas constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin. A larger K value indicates that products are favored at equilibrium.

Temperature Effects on Reaction Spontaneity

Temperature can significantly influence the spontaneity of a reaction as described by the Gibbs Free Energy equation. For reactions that are exothermic (release heat), increasing temperature may lead to a positive ∆G, making the reaction less favorable. Conversely, for endothermic reactions, higher temperatures can drive the reaction towards products, altering the equilibrium position.