Final answer:
The correct answer is A) Maximum. The change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for a process is the theoretical maximum amount of non-expansion work possible under ideal conditions of constant temperature and pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change in G (Gibbs free energy) for a process is the maximum amount of non-expansion work that the system can do under constant temperature and pressure.
This is denoted by the equation ΔG = Wmax. It is important to understand that this is the theoretical maximum work output under ideal conditions. Real-world processes and technologies like automobile engines or steam turbines are not 100% efficient, which means actual work done is always less than this theoretical value.
For nonspontaneous processes, the change in free energy represents the minimum amount of work that must be done on the system to carry out the process.
When considering any process at a constant temperature and pressure that results in an increase in entropy, the Gibbs energy will decrease, according to thermodynamic principles. Option A) is the correct one.