Gibbs function

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | 623 words | Copyright

Gibbs function (Gibbs free energy; symbol G or F) Generally defined in terms of changes in free energy: ΔF = ΔH − TΔS, where H = enthalpy, T = absolute temperature, S = entropy. In a mixture of reactants, if ΔF is less than 0 a reaction may take place spontaneously, whereas if ΔF is positive energy must be supplied to the system for a reaction to occur at all. In geochemistry, the sign and magnitude of ΔF are important. The sign indicates whether a given reaction can occur spontaneously, and the magnitude indicates how far the reaction can go before equilibrium is attained.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gibbs function." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gibbs function." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Gibbsfunction.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gibbs function." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Gibbsfunction.html

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