Question
Question: What are the standard conditions? For example, in the equation \[\Delta {G^o} = \,\Delta {H^o}\, -...
What are the standard conditions?
For example, in the equation ΔGo=ΔHo−TΔSo
ΔGo seems to be temperature dependent, so does that mean ΔGo only applies at a specific pressure?
Solution
We have determined the standard condition for the equation ΔGo=ΔHo−TΔSo . Here, the standard condition indicates the standard temperature, standard pressure. We can also use it as STP which means standard temperature and pressure.
Complete answer:
The above equation given in the above question i.e. ΔGo=ΔHo−TΔSo is the equation for standard Gibbs free energy change. The Gibbs free energy is defined in terms of the three functions i.e. temperature, enthalpy and entropy. It is a state function which means it depends on the initial and final state of the reaction. It is used to predict whether the reaction is spontaneous or not at constant temperature and pressure. It is also the chemical potential that is minimized when a system reaches equilibrium at constant pressure and temperature.
The equation for change in Gibbs free energy at constant temperature and pressure where all the thermodynamic quantity are those of the system is:
ΔG=ΔH−TΔS
At standard conditions of temperature and pressure; it is written as:
ΔGo=ΔHo−TΔSo
The standard conditions of temperature and pressure (or STP) are as follows:
Temperature = 273.15 K
Pressure = 1 bar or 1 atm
Also, at STP
1 mol of ideal gas = 22.711 L at 1 bar
1 mol of ideal gas = 22.414 L at 1 atm
The value of ΔGo calculated under the standard conditions characterizes the “driving force” of the reaction toward equilibrium.
ΔGo < 0 the reaction is spontaneous i.e. reaction is exergonic
ΔGo = 0 the system is at equilibrium.
ΔGo > 0 the reaction is not spontaneous i.e. reaction is endergonic.
Note:
Do not get confused with thermodynamic standard conditions with the “standard temperature and pressure” (STP) widely employed in gas law calculations. It is similar but Temperature is equal to 298.15 K and the pressure is equal to 1 bar.