In: Chemistry
What is the standard free energy change for the reaction below? Is the reaction expected to be spontaneous under standard conditions?
FeS(s) + O2(g) → Fe(s) + SO2(g)
Answer :
The standard free energy change for the reaction can be determined by considering the standard free energy changes of formation (∆G°f) for each of the products and the reactants.
The standard free energy change of a reaction is :
The given reaction is :
The standard free energy changes of formation for each reactants and products are :
Compound | FeS(s) | O2(g) | Fe(s) | SO2(g) |
∆G°f (kJ/mol) | -100.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -300.2 |
Thus, the standard free energy change for the given reaction is =
Or, Thus, the free energy change for the above reaction is -199.8 kJ/mol
Now, we know for a spontaneous reaction, the free energy change of a reaction is negative .
And, for a non-spontaneous reaction, the free energy change of a reaction is positive.
As, for the above reaction the standard free energy change of the reaction is negative, thus it is spontaneous under standard conditions.