Free Energy in Introductory Physics

• Jeffrey J. Prentis ^[1] ; Michael J. Obsniuk ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Michigan–Dearborn

     University of Michigan–Dearborn

     City of Dearborn, Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] Michigan State University

     Michigan State University

     City of East Lansing, Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 54, Nº. 2, 2016, págs. 91-95
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Energy and entropy are two of the most important concepts in science. For all natural processes where a system exchanges energy with its environment, the energy of the system tends to decrease and the entropy of the system tends to increase. Free energy is the special concept that specifies how to balance the opposing tendencies to minimize energy and maximize entropy. There are many pedagogical articles on energy and entropy. Here we present a simple model to illustrate the concept of free energy and the principle of minimum free energy.