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Gibbs Free Energy

Definition

Gibbs Free Energy (G) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work that a system can perform at constant temperature and pressure.

Analogy

Think of Gibbs Free Energy as the amount of fuel in your car. Just like how you need enough fuel to drive from point A to B, a reaction needs enough Gibbs free energy to proceed. If there's not enough "fuel" or free energy, the reaction won't go forward.

Related terms

Entropy: This is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. The higher the entropy, the more disordered a system is.

Enthalpy: This refers to the total heat content of a system. It's like measuring how much heat you have stored in your house during winter.

Thermodynamics: This is the branch of physics that deals with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work. It's like understanding how your car engine works using gasoline (energy source), combustion (work), and coolant (temperature control).