Helmholtz Free Energy is a thermodynamic potential that measures the useful work obtainable from a closed thermodynamic system at constant temperature and volume. It is particularly useful for systems in which temperature and volume are controlled, and is defined as the difference between the internal energy of the system and the product of its entropy and temperature.

Helmholtz Free Energy

Thermodynamic potentials are scalar quantities used to describe the thermodynamic state of a system and to predict the direction of spontaneous processes and equilibrium conditions. They provide a convenient framework for analyzing energy exchanges and transformations within a system, with each potential being most useful under specific constraints such as constant volume, pressure, temperature, or entropy.

thermodynamic potential

useful work obtainable

closed thermodynamic system

constant temperature

Constant volume

Internal energy is the total energy contained within a system, encompassing both kinetic and potential energy at the molecular level. It is a state function, meaning its change depends only on the initial and final states of the system, not on the path taken to get there.

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