Physics · Glossary

What is Helmholtz free energy, Gibbs free enthalpy?

Definition 28.3 University Physics — Year 2 · Chapter 28 — Thermodynamic Potentials
F=UTS(free energy),G=HTS=U+PVTS(free enthalpy).F = U - TS \quad\text{(\emph{free energy})}, \qquad G = H - TS = U + PV - TS \quad\text{(\emph{free enthalpy})}.

Both are extensive state functions, measured in joules.

Examples

Example 28.5 (The perfect gas)

For nn moles, U=ncVT+U0U = nc_{V}T + U_0 and S=ncVlnT+nRlnV+S0S = nc_V\ln T + nR\ln V + S_0 give F(T,V)=nRTlnV+f(T)F(T,V) = -nRT\ln V + f(T): then P=VF=nRT/VP = -\partial_VF = nRT/V — the equation of state comes out of FF — and S=TFS = -\partial_TF gives back the entropy. In the variables (T,P)(T,P), G(T,P)=nRTlnP+g(T)G(T,P) = nRT\ln P + g(T), so V=PG=nRT/PV = \partial_PG = nRT/P, and the molar free enthalpy μ(T,P)=μ(T)+RTln(P/P)\mu(T,P) = \mu^\circ(T) + RT\ln(P/P^\circ) — the chemical potential of the gas, which grows with its pressure: gas flows from high to low μ\mu, here from high to low pressure.

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