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Thermodynamics (A-level only) key terms
Study Thermodynamics (A-level only) with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
Resource type
Topic
Thermodynamics (A-level only)
Key terms
Lattice Enthalpy
The energy released when one mole of an ionic solid is formed from its gaseous ions.
Born-Haber Cycle
A thermodynamic cycle that relates the lattice enthalpy of an ionic compound to its formation enthalpy.
Lattice Enthalpy
The enthalpy change associated with the formation of one mole of an ionic solid from its gaseous ions.
Born-Haber Cycle
A thermodynamic cycle that relates the lattice enthalpy of an ionic compound to other enthalpy changes.
Lattice Enthalpy
The energy change when one mole of an ionic compound is formed from its gaseous ions.
Born-Haber Cycle
A thermodynamic cycle that relates the lattice enthalpy of an ionic compound to other enthalpy changes.
Lattice Enthalpy
The enthalpy change when one mole of an ionic compound is formed from its gaseous ions.
Born-Haber Cycle
A thermochemical cycle that relates the lattice enthalpy of an ionic compound to other enthalpy changes.
Entropy
A measure of the dispersal of energy or disorder in a system.
Gibbs Free Energy
A thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic system at constant temperature and pressure.
Standard Entropy (S°)
The entropy of a substance at a standard state (1 bar pressure and a specified temperature, usually 298 K).
Gibbs Free Energy (G)
A thermodynamic quantity that combines enthalpy and entropy to determine the spontaneity of a process.
Spontaneous Reaction
A reaction that occurs without the need for external energy input, indicated by a negative ΔG.
Thermodynamic Equilibrium
A state in which the Gibbs free energy is at a minimum and the system is in balance, with no net change occurring.
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)
A thermodynamic quantity that indicates the amount of energy available to do work during a reaction at constant temperature and pressure.
Entropy (ΔS)
A measure of the disorder or randomness in a system, which influences the spontaneity of a reaction.
Feasibility
Feasibility refers to whether a reaction can occur under given conditions, determined by Gibbs free energy (ΔG).
Activation Energy
Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a reaction to occur, influencing the rate of the reaction.
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