[Campbell Biology P.197] Based on Figure 8.5 and the accompanying text, which of the followi... | Practice Question

Based on Figure 8.5 and the accompanying text, which of the following statements accurately describes a system undergoing a spontaneous change?

  • option_A: The system's free energy increases, and it becomes less stable.
  • option_B: The system loses free energy (ΔG < 0) and gains the capacity to do work.
  • option_C: The system becomes more stable, and its free energy decreases (ΔG < 0).
  • option_D: The system is at equilibrium, thus no further change occurs spontaneously.

Explanation

Figure 8.5 illustrates that during a spontaneous change, the free energy of the system decreases ΔG < 0 , and the system becomes more stable. This 'downhill' change can release energy that can be harnessed to do work.