Entropy and Free Energy Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Entropy and Free Energy.

Heat Engine

A device that converts a temperature gradient into usable work.

Efficiency

The ratio of work output to heat (energy) input, indicating the efficiency of converting energy into work.

Work Changes with Path

The amount of work changes based on the pathway taken.

Reversible Process

A process done in infinite steps; most work can be extracted from the system; returns the universe to its original state; not possible in reality.

Cyclic Process

System returns to its original position, but the surroundings are changed; all real processes.

Entropy

A state function that simplifies the math relating Q, W, T, ΔH, ΔE, etc.; tells us something about the 'disordered' energy lost to the universe; increases as heat flows from hot to cold and particles spread out.