Section 2
Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy
Book
Version 32
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Biology
Biology
by Boundless
4 concepts
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18654/square/figure-06-03-03.jpeg)
Free Energy
Free energy, called Gibbs free energy (G), is usable energy or energy that is available to do work.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/29963/square/soyuz_tma-05m_rocket_launches_from_baikonur_4.jpg)
The First Law of Thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can be transferred or transformed, but cannot be created or destroyed.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18657/square/figure-06-02-02.jpeg)
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
The second law of thermodynamics states that every energy transfer increases the entropy of the universe due to the loss of usable energy.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18655/square/figure-06-03-04.jpeg)
Activation Energy
Activation energy is the energy required for a reaction to occur, and determines its rate.