Define free energy. What are its units?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Free energy, in the context of thermodynamics, is a measure of the maximum reversible work a system can do. It's represented by the symbol \( G \) and is calculated using the formula \( G = U + PV - TS \). The SI unit for measuring free energy is the Joule.

Step by step solution

01

Define Free Energy

Free energy is a thermodynamic quantity that measures the maximum amount of reversible work that a thermodynamic system can perform. It is defined by the equation \( G = U + PV - TS \), where \( G \) is the free energy, \( U \) is the internal energy, \( P \) is the pressure, \( V \) is the volume, \( T \) is the temperature, and \( S \) is the entropy.
02

Define the Units for Free Energy

The SI unit for free energy is the Joule, which is the same unit used for other forms of energy.

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