free energy

noun Thermodynamics.

1. Gibbs function.
2. Helmholtz function.

noun

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

n.

1. 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.

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. Also called Gibbs free energy