Physics Thermodynamics: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Physics Thermodynamics 2021

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Updated on May 12, 2021 06:15 IST

By sa testuser

Table of content
  • What is Helmholtz Free Energy?
  • Helmholtz Free Energy Derivation
  • Application of Helmholtz Free Energy
  • What is the Helmholtz Function?
  • Difference between Helmholtz free energy and Gibbs free energy
  • Illustrated Examples
  • FAQs on Helmholtz free energy
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What is Helmholtz Free Energy?

It is one of the important concepts of thermodynamics. Helmholtz free energy is used to measure the work having constant temperature and volume with the help of potential thermodynamics. It can be written as:

F = U – TS

In the equation,

The Helmholtz free energy is denoted as F (Joules),

Internal energy is denoted as U (Joules),

Absolute temperature is denoted as T (Kelvin),

The entropy of the system is denoted as S (Kelvin).

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Helmholtz Free Energy Derivation

Let us understand the derivation of the formula discussed above,

dU = δQ + δW  (This is the first law of thermodynamics)

dU = T dS – p dV

Here, δQ = Tds and δW = pdf

dU = d (TS) – S dT – p dV 

the product rule clearly states that, d(TS) = Tds + SdT

d (U − TS) = − S dT – p dV

here, dF = - SdT – pdV

and hence we get, F = U – TS

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Application of Helmholtz Free Energy

  1. Equation of state: it is used in industrial refrigerants by determining the accuracy of pure fluids with the help of the Helmholtz function.
  2. Autoencoder: Helmholtz energy is used to determine the sum of the reconstructed code and code cost. Autoencoder is an artificial network used for the efficient encoding of data.
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What is the Helmholtz Function?

Helmholtz function is a thermodynamic function. It is used to determine the amount of maximum work during the isothermal process, which decreases in the function.

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Difference between Helmholtz free energy and Gibbs free energy

  1. Helmholtz free energy is a useful work acquired from a particular system whereas Gibbs free energy is maximum reversible work acquired from a system.
  2. The energy is created at a constant temperature and volume, whereas in Gibbs, the energy is created at constant pressure and temperature.
  3. The application of Helmholtz is less due to the constant volume. On the other hand, the application of Gibbs free energy is more due to the constant pressure.
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Illustrated Examples

1: State one application of Helmholtz Free energy.

Answer: Helmholtz free energy is used in industrial refrigerants by determining the accuracy of pure fluids with the help of Helmholtz function.

2: Write the formula of Helmholtz Free energy.

Answer: The formula of Helmholtz Free energy is F = U – TS.

3: Write the difference between Helmholtz free energy and Gibbs free energy.

Answer: In Helmholtz free energy, the energy is created at a constant temperature and volume, whereas in Gibbs, the energy is created at constant pressure and temperature.

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FAQs on Helmholtz free energy

Q: What is the Helmholtz function?

A:  Helmholtz function is a thermodynamic function. It is used to determine the amount of maximum work during the isothermal process, which decreases in the function.

Q: Why is Helmholtz called free energy?

A:  It is called free energy because it releases heat energy and increases the entropy of the environment, which decreases the entropy system as it outweighs the surroundings of the entropy.

Q: What do you mean by Helmholtz Free energy?

A:  Helmholtz free energy is used to measure the work having constant temperature and volume with the help of potential thermodynamics.

Q: Who discovered Free energy?

A:  Free energy was discovered by Nikola Tesla.

Q: What is entropy – intensive or extensive?

A:  The entropy (S) is extensive in nature, but it is followed by the temperature (T), which is intensive in nature. The entropy describes the volume of the system.  
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