Chapter 16, Problem 42QRT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether the reaction, ${\text{MgCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to \text{MgO}\left(\text{s}\right)+{\text{CO}}_2\left(\text{g}\right)$, favor products at low temperature, high temperature or at both has to be predicted.

Concept Introduction:

The Gibbs free energy of a system is defined as the enthalpy of the system minus the product of the temperature times the entropy of the system.  The Gibbs free energy of the system is a state function as it is defined in terms of thermodynamic properties that are state functions.