free energy

noun

Thermodynamics.

1. Gibbs function.

2. Helmholtz function.

free energy

noun

1. a thermodynamic property that expresses the capacity of a system to perform work under certain conditions See Gibbs function Helmholtz function

free energy

1. 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.

2. Also called Gibbs free energy