Exergonic
Encyclopedia
Exergonic means "releasing energy in the form of work". By thermodynamic standards, work, a form of energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...

, is defined as moving from the system
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....

 (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.In thermodynamics, the term is used...

 (the external region). Thus, an exergonic process, as contrasted with an endergonic
Endergonic
Endergonic means "absorbing energy in the form of work." Endergonic reactions are not spontaneous...

 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 a thermodynamic system at a constant temperature and pressure...

 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 tendency that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential equilibrate in an isolated physical system. From the state of thermodynamic equilibrium, the law deduced the principle of the increase of entropy and...

 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 tendency that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential equilibrate in an isolated physical system. From the state of thermodynamic equilibrium, the law deduced the principle of the increase of entropy and...

, in a direction that tends to lower the free energy
Thermodynamic free energy
The thermodynamic free energy is the amount of work that a thermodynamic system can perform. The concept is useful in the thermodynamics of chemical or thermal processes in engineering and science. The free energy is the internal energy of a system less the amount of energy that cannot be used to...

 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." Endergonic reactions are not spontaneous...

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

  • Exothermic
    Exothermic
    In thermodynamics, the term exothermic describes a process or reaction that releases energy from the system, usually in the form of heat, but also in the form of light , electricity , or sound...

  • Endothermic
    Endothermic
    In thermodynamics, the word endothermic describes a process or reaction in which the system absorbs energy from the surroundings in the form of heat. Its etymology stems from the prefix endo- and the Greek word thermasi,...

  • 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 light or heat. It is the opposite of an endothermic reaction. Expressed in a chemical equation:-Overview:...

  • Endothermic reaction
  • Endotherm
    Warm-blooded
    The term warm-blooded is a colloquial term to describe animal species which have a relatively higher blood temperature, and maintain thermal homeostasis primarily through internal metabolic processes...

  • Exotherm
    Warm-blooded
    The term warm-blooded is a colloquial term to describe animal species which have a relatively higher blood temperature, and maintain thermal homeostasis primarily through internal metabolic processes...

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