CHEM 440 Chapter Notes - Chapter Ch 1, 1.1-1.6: Isolated System, Maxima And Minima, Mechanical System
3 Sep 2018
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We are concerned with making/breaking bonds, moving material across membranes, electrical work, changes in molecular conformations, ligand binding. Thermo tells us about systems in equilibrium, and if they are not in equilibrium, it tells us the magnitude of the driving force, the maximum amount of work that can be done. Mechanical system = moving object against opposing force (gravitational, electrical, pressure). To move the object, work needs to be done by another applied force whose force and magnitude depends on physical location. If particle moves under influence of force, potential energy of the particle decreases. The change in potential energy (du) in a particular direction (dx) defines the force on the particle in that direction. f(x) = - du(x) / dx. If the particle moves in the direction of the positive force to a position of lower potential energy, the work done is negative because the u is decreased if it is displaced by the force from the potential field.
