Answer to Question #205964 in General Chemistry for Fiona Yvonne Balia

Question

Explain chemical thermodynamics

Answer 1

Chemical thermodynamics is the study of how heat and work relate to each other both in changes of state and in chemical reactions. It involves a series of rules and laws that explain how heat and work, well, work, and explains which processes can happen spontaneously and which need some help.

Chemical thermodynamics does not only involved laboratory measurements of the various thermodynamic properties, but also the application of mathematical methods to the study of chemical questions and the spontaneity of processes.

Chemical thermodynamics structure is based on the first two laws of thermodynamics.

Starting from the first and second laws of thermodynamics, four equations called the "fundamental equations of Gibbs" can be derived.

From these four, a multitude of equations, relating the thermodynamic properties of the thermodynamic system can be derived using relatively simple mathematics. This outlines the mathematical framework of chemical thermodynamics.

There are several basic principles of chemical thermodynamics to consider: systems, the laws of thermodynamics, and enthalpy. Chemical thermodynamics is also concerned with four particular quantities: internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, and the Gibbs free energy.