20.3-4

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Potential Energy

Energy that is stored in an object due to its position or arrangement.

Chemical Energy

Potential energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, released during a chemical reaction.

Gibbs Free Energy (G)

The amount of useful energy available to do work during a chemical reaction, factoring in entropy.

Exergonic Reactions

Reactions that release energy, resulting in a negative change in free energy (∆G < 0).

Endergonic Reactions

Reactions that require energy input to proceed, resulting in a positive change in free energy (∆G > 0).

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, consisting of adenosine and three phosphate groups.

Activation Energy

The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Energy Coupling

The process of using the energy released from an exergonic reaction to drive an endergonic reaction.

Hydrolysis of ATP

The chemical reaction in which ATP is broken down into ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing free energy.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system, which increases during energy transfers.

Delta G (∆G)

The change in Gibbs free energy during a chemical reaction.

Standard Conditions

Conditions for measuring changes in free energy, typically at pH 7, 25 degrees Celsius, and 1 atm pressure.