Helmholtz Free Energy - Mathematical Development

Mathematical Development

From the first law of thermodynamics we have

,

where is the internal energy, is the energy added by heating and is the work done by the system. From the second law of thermodynamics, for a reversible process we may say that . Also, in case of a reversible change, the work done can be expressed as

Applying the product rule for differentiation to d(TS) = TdS + SdT, we have:

,

and:

The definition of A = U - TS enables to rewrite this as

This relation is also valid for a process that is not reversible because A is a thermodynamic function of state.

Read more about this topic:  Helmholtz Free Energy

Famous quotes containing the words mathematical and/or development:

    What he loved so much in the plant morphological structure of the tree was that given a fixed mathematical basis, the final evolution was so incalculable.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)

    Somehow we have been taught to believe that the experiences of girls and women are not important in the study and understanding of human behavior. If we know men, then we know all of humankind. These prevalent cultural attitudes totally deny the uniqueness of the female experience, limiting the development of girls and women and depriving a needy world of the gifts, talents, and resources our daughters have to offer.
    Jeanne Elium (20th century)