## Maximum work

$\Delta G^{\circ}= \Delta H^{\circ} - T \Delta S^{\circ}$

$\Delta G^{\circ}= -RT\ln K$

$\Delta G^{\circ}= \sum \Delta G_{f}^{\circ}(products) - \sum \Delta G_{f}^{\circ}(reactants)$

Claire Polizu 3B
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am

### Maximum work

Why is the maximum work equal to the change in Gibbs free energy at constant temperature and pressure?

Alex Nguyen 3I
Posts: 100
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am

### Re: Maximum work

Delta G= Delta H - TDeltaS
Not sure, but this is how I thought of it. Delta H is only valid under constant pressure (heat under constant pressure), and temperature in the equation isn't changing (it's not delta T). It's constant.

MichaelPenny1A
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am

### Re: Maximum work

This is the definition of Gibbs free energy. The maximum work is done under conditions of constant temperature and pressure so the Gibbs free energy, which is the amount of energy that is free to do work, is the same as maximum work. It's on page 43 of the course reader.