Gibbs Free Energy Simulator
Master the concept of Spontaneity. See the tug-of-war between Energy (Enthalpy) and Chaos (Entropy).
About this simulation
- What
- An interactive Chemistry simulation of Gibbs Free Energy Simulator.
- Who
- Designed for AP, IB, and A‑Level Chemistry students.
- How
- Runs in any modern browser — drag, adjust, and explore in real time.
Updated 2026-01-06
Key Concepts
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)
The net energy available to do work. If negative, the process is spontaneous.
Enthalpy (ΔH)
Heat energy absorbed or released. Negative means exothermic (heat released).
Entropy (TΔS)
Disorder scaled by Temperature. High T amplifies the effect of Entropy.
Understanding Gibbs Free Energy
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work that can be performed by a thermodynamic system at a constant temperature and pressure.
The sign of $\Delta G$ determines the spontaneity of a process: a negative value indicates a spontaneous reaction, a positive value indicates non-spontaneity, and zero represents chemical equilibrium. The relationship is defined by the equation $\Delta G = \Delta H - T\Delta S$.
Use our interactive simulator to explore how temperature (T) acts as a critical scaling factor, allowing entropy (ΔS) to dominate at high temperatures and enthalpy (ΔH) to dictate feasibility at lower energy states.
Spontaneity Conditions
| Enthalpy (ΔH) | Entropy (ΔS) | Spontaneity (ΔG) |
|---|---|---|
| Negative (-) | Positive (+) | Always Spontaneous |
| Positive (+) | Positive (+) | Spontaneous at High T |
| Negative (-) | Negative (-) | Spontaneous at Low T |
| Positive (+) | Negative (-) | Never Spontaneous |
* Temperature (T) is always in Kelvin (positive).
Frequently Asked Questions
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