free energy and entropy

[peacefulheart]

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In EK book, it says "In strict terms, diffusion occurs in the direction of decreasing free energy, or in he strictest terms, in the direction of increasing universal entropy."

Does " decreasing the free energy" mean " increasing universal entropy"?


thanks a lot

 

[shoehornlettuce]

In EK book, it says "In strict terms, diffusion occurs in the direction of decreasing free energy, or in he strictest terms, in the direction of increasing universal entropy."

Does " decreasing the free energy" mean " increasing universal entropy"?


thanks a lot

Gibbs free energy can be negative, positive or 0. A spontaneous process (i.e. a barbell crashing down on me in the gym because I thought I could impress a pretty girl) will have a negative gibbs free energy. A non-spontaneous process (i.e. me bench pressing 500lbs) will have a positive gibbs free energy and in regard to chemistry, would usually need to be coupled with another reaction to net a negative free energy (i.e. my spotter is lifting 501lbs). If gibbs free energy is 0, a reaction is in equilibrium (i.e. me laying motionless on the floor beneath 500lbs of weight as I wait for the paramedics).

Diffusion is simply the movement of a solute from higher concentration to lower concentration. If you've ever dropped food coloring in water you've witnessed this. Over time the coloring distributes itself equally with no input of energy. Because there is no input in energy, the process is spontaneous and thus has a negative free energy value and increases in entropy (disorder).

 

[LoLCareerGoals]

Does " decreasing the free energy" mean " increasing universal entropy"?

thanks a lot

No, but the inverse is true: Increasing entropy does mean free energy will decrease. It is a simple equation:

Free_energy = enthalphy - temperature*entropy.