Delta G= Wmax

$\Delta G^{\circ} = -nFE_{cell}^{\circ}$

Kelly Seto 2J
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Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

Delta G= Wmax

Can someone explain what Wmax means? Also why are delta G and Wmax equal at constant T and P? What is the relationship between the two?

Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Wmax refers to the maximum amount of work a system can do. Delta G is the maximum work that a system can do at a given temperature and pressure. So we can equate the two.

I also found this previous post on Chemistry Community from Dr. Lavelle: viewtopic.php?t=5141

aaron tang 2K
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:01 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

DeltaG is the maximum amount of work a system can do at a given temperature and pressure, while WMAX is the maximum amount of work a system can do. Therefore, you can set them equal to each other.

melissa carey 1f
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Whats the relationship between free energy and max work - are they equal?

Julie Steklof 1A
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

melissa carey 1f wrote:Whats the relationship between free energy and max work - are they equal?

I wrote in my notes from 2/9 that maximum cell potential is directly related to the free energy difference between reactants and products in the cell/ redox reaction.

DamianW
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Why are they equal?

Ridhi Ravichandran 1E
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Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:01 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Wmax actually represents the maximum non-expansion work a reaction can do. Basically, an exothermic reaction will release a certain amount of energy, and this energy can be harnessed to do other kinds of work, such as power a non-spontaneous reaction.

Scott Chin_1E
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Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Does Wmax usually occur when the system is at equilibrium?

804899546
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Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am

Re: Delta G= Wmax

Scott Chin_1E wrote:Does Wmax usually occur when the system is at equilibrium?

No, at equilibrium Delta G and Ecell are equal to zero, and therefore work at equilibrium would be equal to zero. This makes sense, as at equilibrium there would be no electrons flowing between the anode and the cathode.