enthalpy
Noun
Meaning
(thermodynamics) a thermodynamic quantity equal to the internal energy of a system plus the product of its volume and pressure
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Phrases with the word
Examples
enthalpy is the amount of energy in a system capable of doing mechanical work
An alternative description is to view the enthalpy of condensation as the heat which must be released to the surroundings to compensate for the drop in entropy when a gas condenses to a liquid.
A negative value for the enthalpy change of solution corresponds to an ion that is likely to dissolve, whereas a high positive value means that solvation will not occur.
A negative enthalpy of solution means that the solute is less soluble at high temperatures.
A reaction will be a spontaneous process at a certain temperature if the products have a lower Gibbs free energy (an exergonic reaction ) even if the enthalpy of the products is higher.
As an example, automotive engines convert chemical energy ( enthalpy ) from the fuel into heat, and then into mechanical work that eventually turns the wheels.