All Topics  
Exergonic

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Exergonic
 
 
  Topics Exergonic Topic Home

Exergonic means to release energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon, meaning work
Work (thermodynamics)

In thermodynamics, work is the quantity of energy transferred from one system to another without an accompanying transfer of entropy. It is a generalization of the concept of mechanical work in mechanics....
, combined with the Greek prefix ex-, meaning out of. By thermodynamic standards, work, a form of energy
Energy

In physics, energy is a scalar physical quantity that describes the amount of Work_ that can be performed by a force. Energy is an attribute of objects and systems that is subject to a conservation law....
, is defined as moving from the system
System

System is a set of interacting or interdependent entities, real or abstract, forming an integrated whole.The concept of an "integrated whole" can also be stated in terms of a system embodying a set of relationships which are differentiated from relationships of the set to other elements, and from relationships between an element of the se...
 (the internal region) to the surroundings
Surroundings

Surroundings are the area around a given physical or geographical Point or place. The exact definition depends on the field. Surroundings can also be used in geography and mathematics, as well as philosophy, with the literal or metaphorically extended definition....
 (the external region). Thus, an exergonic process, as contrasted with an endergonic
Endergonic

Endergonic means absorbing energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon, meaning work , combined with the prefix end-, as derived from the Greek root en, meaning put into....
 process, is one that releases energy from the system, of which it is a part, to the surroundings.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Exergonic'
Start a new discussion about 'Exergonic'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Exergonic means to release energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon, meaning work
Work (thermodynamics)

In thermodynamics, work is the quantity of energy transferred from one system to another without an accompanying transfer of entropy. It is a generalization of the concept of mechanical work in mechanics....
, combined with the Greek prefix ex-, meaning out of. By thermodynamic standards, work, a form of energy
Energy

In physics, energy is a scalar physical quantity that describes the amount of Work_ that can be performed by a force. Energy is an attribute of objects and systems that is subject to a conservation law....
, is defined as moving from the system
System

System is a set of interacting or interdependent entities, real or abstract, forming an integrated whole.The concept of an "integrated whole" can also be stated in terms of a system embodying a set of relationships which are differentiated from relationships of the set to other elements, and from relationships between an element of the se...
 (the internal region) to the surroundings
Surroundings

Surroundings are the area around a given physical or geographical Point or place. The exact definition depends on the field. Surroundings can also be used in geography and mathematics, as well as philosophy, with the literal or metaphorically extended definition....
 (the external region). Thus, an exergonic process, as contrasted with an endergonic
Endergonic

Endergonic means absorbing energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon, meaning work , combined with the prefix end-, as derived from the Greek root en, meaning put into....
 process, is one that releases energy from the system, of which it is a part, to the surroundings. As a result, during an exergonic process, energy is released out of the system. If the transformation occurs at constant pressure and temperature, ?G < 0. When Gibbs free energy
Gibbs free energy

In thermodynamics, the Gibbs free energy is a thermodynamic potential that measures the "useful" or process-initiating Work obtainable from an isothermal, Isobaric process thermodynamic system....
 is less than 0, the reaction is exergonic (releases energy).

All physical and chemical systems in the universe follow the second law of thermodynamics
Second law of thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal law of increasing entropy, stating that the entropy of an isolated system which is not in Thermodynamic equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium....
 and proceed in a downhill, i.e., exergonic, direction. Thus, left to itself, any physical or chemical system will proceed, according to the second law of thermodynamics
Second law of thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal law of increasing entropy, stating that the entropy of an isolated system which is not in Thermodynamic equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium....
, in a direction that tends to lower the free energy
Thermodynamic free energy

In thermodynamics, the term thermodynamic free energy refers to the amount of Work that can be extracted from a system, and is helpful in engineering applications....
 of the system, and thus to expend energy in the form of work. These reactions occur spontaneously.

See also

  • Endergonic
    Endergonic

    Endergonic means absorbing energy in the form of work. Its etymology stems from the suffix -ergonic, as derived from the Greek root ergon, meaning work , combined with the prefix end-, as derived from the Greek root en, meaning put into....
  • Endergonic reaction
    Endergonic reaction

    In thermochemistry, an endergonic reaction is a chemical reaction in which the standard change in Thermodynamic free energy is positive, and energy is absorbed....
  • Exothermic
    Exothermic

    File:Explosion1.JPG In thermodynamics, the term exothermic describes a process or reaction that releases energy usually in the form of heat, but also in form of light , electricity , or sound....
  • Endothermic
    Endothermic

    In thermodynamics, the word endothermic "within-heating" describes a process or reaction that absorbs energy in the form of heat. Its etymology stems from the Greek prefix endo-, meaning ?inside? and the Greek suffix ?thermic, meaning ?to heat?....
  • Exergonic reaction
    Exergonic reaction

    An exergonic reaction is a chemical reaction where the change in the Gibbs free energy is negative, indicating a spontaneous reaction. Symbolically, the release of Gibbs free energy, G, in an exergonic reaction is denoted as...
  • Exothermic reaction
    Exothermic reaction

    An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. It is the opposite of an endothermic reaction. Expressed in a chemical equation:...
  • Endothermic reaction
  • Endotherm
    Warm-blooded

    In biology, a warm-blooded animal species is one whose members maintain thermal homeostasis; that is, they keep their body temperature at a roughly constant level, regardless of the ambient temperature....
  • Exotherm
    Warm-blooded

    In biology, a warm-blooded animal species is one whose members maintain thermal homeostasis; that is, they keep their body temperature at a roughly constant level, regardless of the ambient temperature....