Thermodynamic Potentials

Thermodynamic potentials are functions that help us understand the energy available in a system under different conditions. The most common potentials are internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz free energy, and Gibbs free energy. Each one describes how energy behaves in relation to temperature, volume, or pressure, helping predict how systems react to changes. In classical thermodynamics, these potentials guide us in determining equilibrium states, while in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, they can indicate how systems evolve toward balance, making them essential for understanding energy transformations in everything from engines to biological processes.