What is the equation relating electrical work and standard Gibbs energy change for a reaction?

The relationship between the electrical work done in a reaction and the standard Gibbs energy change is well defined in thermodynamics. The correct equation expresses the concept that the work done by an electrochemical reaction is related to the change in Gibbs energy, often represented as ∆rG, which indicates the maximum reversible work obtainable from a system at constant temperature and pressure.

The fundamental equation that captures this relationship states that the change in Gibbs energy for a reaction is equal to the negative of the electrical work done, which can be expressed as:

∆rG = -w = -VQ

In this context, V represents the voltage and Q represents the charge involved in the reaction. This equation reflects that as work is done on or by the system (in the form of electrical work), the Gibbs energy changes accordingly. The negative sign emphasizes that when work is done by the system, it results in a change in the Gibbs energy that leads to a shift toward equilibrium, with energy being expended in the process.

Thus, this equation highlights the intrinsic link between chemical reactions, energy changes, and electrical work, providing a framework to understand how energy is conserved and transformed in electrochemical systems. It is important to recognize how this relationship helps in predicting the spontaneity of