Enthalpy (H) describes the thermodynamics of a reactions. Entropy (S) describes the spontaneity of a reaction.

These two properties can be related to free energy by theGibbs-Helmholtz equation. delta G = delta H - T(delta S), where delta G is free energy and T is temperature. If delta H is negative it will release energy. If delta S is positive then that will contribute to increasing the overall energy released in the reaction. Also, if delta S is positive, increasing T will also increase the amount of G. You can go into much greater detail that this, but I hope this helps. Gibbs energy (also referred to as G) is also the chemical potential that is minimized when a system reaches equilibrium at constant pressure and temperature.

Gibbs Free Energy (G) - The energy associated with a chemical reaction that can be used to do work. The free energy of a system is the sum of its enthalpy (H) plus the product of the temperature (Kelvin) and the entropy (S) of the system:

Free energy of reaction ( G)

The change in the enthalpy ( H) of the system minus the product of the temperature (Kelvin) and the change in the entropy ( S) of the system:

Recall from the enthalpy notes that reactions can be classified according to the change in enthalpy (heat):
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Endothermic - absorbs heat, H > 0 Exothermic - releases heat, H < 0

Reactions can also be classified according to the change in the free energy of the reaction:
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Endergonic - NON-SPONTANEOUS, G > 0 Exergonic - SPONTANEOUS, G < 0

Summary
Favorable Unfavorable Conditions Conditions

H <0 S >0

H >0 S <0

SPONTANEOUS:

G is negative ( G < 0, Keq > 1) G is positive ( G > 0, Keq < 1) G = 0 (Keq = 1)

NON-SPONTANEOUS:

EQUILIBRIUM:
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If a reaction is favorable for both enthalpy ( H < 0 ) and entropy ( S > 0) changes, then the reaction will be SPONTANEOUS ( G < 0 ) at any temperature. If a reaction is unfavorable for both enthalpy ( H > 0 ) and entropy ( S < 0 ) changes, then the reaction will be NON-SPONTANEOUS ( G > 0 ) at any temperature. If a reaction is favorable for only one of either entropy or enthalpy, the standard-state free energy equation must be used to determine whether the reaction is spontaneous or not. For non-standard-state conditions (P 0.1 MPa; concentrations 1 M), values of H and S for the actual reaction conditions must be calculated and used to determine G and Keq.

Temperature and Free Energy

If a reaction is favorable for enthalpy ( H < 0 ), but unfavorable for entropy ( S < 0 ), then the reaction becomes LESS SPONTANEOUS as temperature increases. o WHY? - The standard-state free energy equation states that:

If entropy is unfavorable, the S is negative. Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the respective positive number. As the temperature increases, the T S factor (which is ADDED to the enthalpy if the entropy is unfavorable) increases as well. Eventually, the T S factor becomes larger than H and G becomes positive, i.e. the reaction is no longer spontaneous.

Gibbs Free Energy (G) - The energy associated with a chemical reaction that can be used to do work. The free energy of a system is the sum of its enthalpy (H) plus the product of the temperature (Kelvin) and the entropy (S) of the system:

G=HTS
Free energy of reaction (G) In chemical reactions involving the changes in thermodynamic quantities we often use another variation of this equation:

G = H TS change in free energy change in enthalpy (temperature) change in entropy

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If H0 < 0 and

S0 > 0

then the reaction will be SPONTANEOUS (G0 < 0 ) at any temperature.

If H0 > 0 and entropy S0 < 0 then the reaction will be NONSPONTANEOUS (G0 > 0 ) at any temperature. Standard-state free energy of reaction (