What does a positive ΔG indicate about spontaneity?

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What does a positive ΔG indicate about spontaneity?

A positive ΔG means moving from reactants to products requires input of free energy, so the process is not spontaneous under the given conditions. In thermodynamics terms, it is endergonic, because it consumes free energy rather than releasing it. It isn’t at equilibrium (that would give ΔG = 0), and it isn’t exergonic (which corresponds to ΔG < 0, releasing energy). In practical terms, such a reaction would proceed only if energy is supplied or if it’s driven by coupling to a strongly favorable process, rather than occurring on its own.

A positive ΔG means moving from reactants to products requires input of free energy, so the process is not spontaneous under the given conditions. In thermodynamics terms, it is endergonic, because it consumes free energy rather than releasing it. It isn’t at equilibrium (that would give ΔG = 0), and it isn’t exergonic (which corresponds to ΔG < 0, releasing energy). In practical terms, such a reaction would proceed only if energy is supplied or if it’s driven by coupling to a strongly favorable process, rather than occurring on its own.

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