Answer:
Gibbs Free Energy is given by the next equation: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS, where
ΔH - <u>change</u> in enthalpy
T - temperature in Kelvin
ΔS - <u>change</u> in entropy
ΔG can be:
- ΔG>0 positive(not spontaneous reaction)
- ΔG<0 negative(spontaneous reaction)
- ΔG=0(in equilibrium).
→ When the proteins are denatured, the entropy of the system increases. Therefore, the ΔS also increases and becomes more positive.
→ From the equation we see that positive value of ΔS contributes to negative value of ΔG.
The proteins are stable when there is no spontaneous reaction, thus, the ΔG>0 is required. Which means that ΔH has to be large and positive to counteract the influence of ΔS.