Free Energy

Free energy is a thermodynamic concept that measures the amount of useful work a system can perform at a constant temperature and pressure. It combines the system’s internal energy with its entropy (disorder), helping predict whether a process will occur spontaneously. When free energy decreases during a process, it means the process can happen on its own, releasing energy that can do work. Conversely, if free energy increases, additional energy input is needed for the process to proceed. It’s a key concept in understanding how chemical reactions and physical changes naturally progress.