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The correct formula to calculate delta G, which represents the change in Gibbs free energy, is given by the equation delta G = delta H - T(delta S). In this formula:

  • Delta G (ΔG) signifies the change in Gibbs free energy, providing insight into the spontaneity of a reaction.
  • Delta H (ΔH) indicates the change in enthalpy, reflecting the total heat content of a system.
  • T stands for absolute temperature measured in Kelvin, which is critical in thermodynamic calculations as it represents the thermal energy affecting reactions.
  • Delta S (ΔS) represents the change in entropy, reflecting the degree of disorder or randomness in a system.

This relationship highlights that the spontaneity of a process is influenced both by the heat exchange (enthalpy) and the degree of disorder (entropy) in a system. A negative ΔG suggests that a reaction is spontaneous in the forward direction, while a positive ΔG indicates non-spontaneity. The term T(ΔS) denotes the product of temperature and the entropy change, which plays a significant role in determining whether a reaction can proceed under given conditions.

Using this formula allows chemists and biologists to predict how changes in enthalpy and entropy affect the feasibility