In my chem book it says the following reguarding the reaction C + 2H2 ---> CH4, The reaction has deltaS = +24,1kJ and deltaH = -74,8kJ, so at STP deltaG = -50,7kJ.
Now it say the following : "The reaction is exothermic, with a variation of enthalpy equal to -78,k kJ. Part of this energy is used to cause more order into the system (diminishing the entropy). 24.1 kJ are used for this, resulting in only 50,7Kj disposable for doing work"
This confuses me because I imagine that if deltaH is - 74,8kJ then thats how much heat the system emmits, so what is keeping me from using that heat?
In my mind I contrast this with the reaction NH4NO3(s) ---> NH4NO3(aq) which has a positive deltaH, but a larger TdeltaS. It cools the surrounding by means of its positive deltaH, yet happens spontaneously due to a negative deltaG.
In the second example I understand that the surrounding actually "feels" the deltaH, the deltaG actually only being a measure of if iz happens or not. In the first example it seems that the universe "feels" the deltaG, because part of the deltaH is "used" to create order.
Thanks for your *delete me*!