Thermodynamics and ATP hydrolysis

[Jasmin Gonzalez]

How does the standard free energy change (ΔG) for ATP hydrolysis relate to the randomness of the reaction? What are the factors that influence the change?

[Arnav Ranade 2K]

Since you're breaking one molecule (ATP) into two (ADP and phosphate), it creates more disorder/randomness and the entropy change of the reaction is positive, and a more positive dS leads to a more positive dG, which is why it's also a spontaneous/exergonic reaction.

[Anastasia_3B]

They are related because the release of energy due to phosphate bonds breaking means it is of exergonic nature. The increase in entropy also helps support the spontaneity of ATP hydrolysis. Temperature, as we know, plays a big role in influencing changes in enthalpy and entropy which determines the overall spontaneity of the reaction.