Thermodynamics

What is an exothermic reaction?

a reaction which releases energy, usually as heat, from a system to its surroundings

What is an endothermic reaction?

a reaction which absorbs energy from its surroundings, usually in the form of heat

What are spontaneous processes?

processes that can actually happen

What are non-spontaneous processes?

processes that can never happen regardless of circumstance

Are forward reactions generally spontaneous or non-spontaneous?

spontaneous

Are reverse reactions generally spontaneous or non-spontaneous?

non-spontaneous

What is thermal equilibrium?

the state where two or more objects in thermal contact reach the same temperature, resulting in no net transfer of thermal energy between them

What is the 1st law of thermodynamics?

energy can be transferred and transformed but not created or destroyed

What is another name for the first law of thermodynamics?

the law of conservation of energy

What is the 2nd law of thermodynamics?

every energy transfer that takes place will increase the entropy of the universe and reduce the amount of usable energy available to do work

What is the 3rd law of thermodynamics?

when the entropy of each and every element (in their perfectly crystalline states) is taken as 0 at absolute 0 temperature, the entropy of every substance must have a positive, finite value

Is it possible to reach absolute zero?

no

How many steps would need to be performed in order to reach absolute zero?

an infinite amount of steps

What is the third law of thermodynamics based off of?

perfect crystals

What is Gibbs Free Energy used for?

determining whether or not a reaction can occur on its own

Define an exergonic reaction.

a spontaneous chemical reaction in which there is a net release of free energy

Define an endergonic reaction.

a non-spontaneous chemical reaction in which free energy is absorbed from the surroundings

What is Gibbs Free Energy also referred to as?

• free energy

• available energy

• Gibbs function

What is Gibbs Free Energy’s equation?

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

List several properties of a reaction if the given $\Delta G$ is negative.

• its reactants are less stable

• it’s a spontaneous reaction

• it’s a catabolic reaction

• it’s an exergonic reaction

• the reaction releases energy

List several properties of a reaction if the given $\Delta G$ is positive.

• its reactants are more stable

• it’s a non-spontaneous reaction

• it’s an anabolic reaction

• it’s an endergonic reaction

• energy is required to perform the reaction

In equilibrium, is entropy at a maximum or minimum?

maximum

Can useful work be done in equilibrium?

no