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Given that $P_{\ce{NH3}}=\mathrm{10~atm}$ at $298\ \mathrm K$, calculate the $\Delta G^\circ$ of the reaction $$\ce{NH3(s) <=> NH3(g)}$$

I'll begin solving the problem...

I'm using the formula $$\Delta G=\Delta G^\circ+RT\ln Q.$$ The vaporisation of $\ce{NH3}$ is an equilibrium so $\Delta G=0$ and $Q=K_c$ . Also $K_c=\left[\ce{NH3}\right]$. So $\Delta G^\circ=-RT\ln K_c$.

How do I continue? Is it $K_c=K_p=10$ or $K_c=K_p/\left(RT\right)$?

Martin - マーチン
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user259462
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1 Answers1

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Actually for this reaction $\Delta G=\Delta G^\circ+RT\ln Q$ holds only when $Q$ is used in terms of partial pressures. This is because the activity of an ideal gas is measured by its pressure, not its concentration. This equation can be derived from the definition of the Gibbs energy.

Aditya Anand
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    It says nowhere in the definition of amount (of substance) concentration that the concept must not be used for gasses. It might not lead to the desired result in this case, but it is not necessarily wrong. Also the activity is derived from the chemical potential of a substance and for an ideal gas not measured by the pressure. However, it can be related to the pressure. – Martin - マーチン Aug 31 '15 at 12:17
  • Yes,the term concentration can be used.What I meant was that the activity or fugacity of an ideal gas itself happens to be its pressure per unit atmosphere or bar,as per the definition of the standard state.The definition of activity is of course only from the chemical potential,independent of the substance – Aditya Anand Aug 31 '15 at 16:10
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    Your first statement is still wrong. For any substance $\Delta G=\Delta G^\circ+RT\ln Q$ holds for any $Q$. They can be interconverted. – Martin - マーチン Aug 31 '15 at 16:18
  • What exactly do you mean by 'they can be interconverted'?I understand that the "Q's" can be written in terms of concentration or pressure,but I don't see how both might give the same result in this case(assuming we are referring to an ideal gas). – Aditya Anand Sep 02 '15 at 12:24
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    Have a look at this question – Martin - マーチン Sep 03 '15 at 02:36
  • I know how they can be inter converted,what I mean is that in this case q must be used in terms of partial pressures to get the desired result. – Aditya Anand Sep 03 '15 at 08:12