As I understand it the second law applies to isolated systems in general, not just the universe. My question presumes an isolated system with a CO2/H2 mixture at 25 degrees C.
I am still puzzled and appreciate your patience. I fully understand the notion of an equilibrium temperature, and clearly as I have written the equation its equilibrium position at 25oC falls well to the right based on the negative Gibbs energy. It thus should move spontaneously to the right...
Thanks for your response, but the question remains. (Note: What appeared to be 250C was meant to be 25 degrees C.) The reaction with a negative delta G at 25 degrees C will be spontaneous, correct? However its negative entropy and the second law dictate it cannot be spontaneous. The 2nd law...
The reaction CO2 + 4 H2 <==> CH4 + 2 H2O (liq) at 25oC is downhill with a gibbs energy of -31 kcal/mol. It has a negative entropy of -98 cal/K. Thus an isolated system of the two starting gases should go to equilibrium on the basis of the Gibbs energy value, but the process would then...