The following gas-phase reactions occur at 298 K under standard-state conditions:
• Reaction A: CO(g) + ½ O2(g) ⇌ CO2(g), K = 3.5 × 10⁵⁹
• Reaction B: N2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2 NO(g), K = 4.1 × 10⁻³¹
• Reaction C: H2(g) + I2(g) ⇌ 2 HI(g), K = 1.8 × 10⁻¹
(a) Without performing explicit numerical calculations, rank Reactions A, B, and C in order of increasingly positive values of ΔG°. Justify your ranking by referencing the mathematical relationship between ΔG° and the equilibrium constant.
(b) Identify which reaction, if any, is expected to have a value of |ΔG°| that is on the same order of magnitude as RT (≈ 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹ at 298 K). Explain your reasoning.