Delta G= Wmax

[Kelly Seto 2J]

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?

[Aditya Pimplaskar 1J]

W_max 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]

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]

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

[Julie Steklof 1A]

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]

Why are they equal?

[Ridhi Ravichandran 1E]

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]

Does Wmax usually occur when the system is at equilibrium?

[804899546]

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.