| free energy | |
| —n | |
| Gibbs function See Helmholtz function a thermodynamic property that expresses the capacity of a system to perform work under certain conditions | |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
free energy n.
A thermodynamic quantity that is the difference between a system's internal energy and the product of its absolute temperature and entropy; the portion of total energy of a natural system that can be used for work.
| free energy
A thermodynamic quantity that is the difference between the internal energy of a system and the product of its absolute temperature and entropy. Free energy is a measure of the capacity of the system to do work. If its value is negative, the system will have a tendency to do work spontaneously, as in an exothermic chemical reaction. Free energy is measured in kilojoules per mole. Also called Gibbs free energy. |