We can calculate whether a reaction is spontaneous by calculating the change in free energy and accounting for entropy. Your paycheck always lists your gross pay, net (take home) pay, and tax withholdings. Which of the following best correlates your paycheck to the changes in free energy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

B) net salary = gross salary - tax; free energy = total energy - entropyThis choice correctly correlates the components of a paycheck to the thermodynamic quantities. In thermodynamics, the free energy (G) is the energy available to do work, analogous to the net salary which is what you actually get to use. The total energy would be akin to the gross salary, from which you have to subtract something (taxes in the case of the paycheck, entropy in the case of thermodynamics) to get the usable portion.

We Can Calculate Whether a Reaction Is Spontaneous by Calculating