The exertion of power; the capacity to do work, taking the forms of kinetic e., potential e., chemical e., electrical e., etc. SYN: dynamic force. [G. energeia, fr. en, in, + ergon, work]
- e. of activation (Ea) e. that must be added to that already possessed by a molecule or molecules in order to initiate a reaction; usually expressed in the Arrhenius equation relating a rate constant to absolute temperature.
- binding e. e. that would be released if a particular atomic nucleus were formed through the combination of individual protons and neutrons. SYN: fusion e..
- chemical e. e. liberated or absorbed by a chemical reaction, e.g., oxidation of carbon, or absorbed in the formation of a chemical compound.
- free e. (F) a thermodynamic function symbolized as F, or G (Gibbs free e.), = H − TS, where H is the enthalpy of a system, T the absolute temperature, and S the entropy; chemical reactions proceed spontaneously in the direction that involves a net decrease in the free e. of the system ( i.e., ΔG < 0).
- fusion e. SYN: binding e..
- Gibbs e. of activation the Gibbs e. that must be added to that already possessed by a molecule or molecules in order to initiate a reaction.
- internal e. (U) e. of a system measured by the heat absorbed from the system's surroundings and the amount of work done on the system by its surroundings.
- nuclear e. e. given off in the course of a nuclear reaction or stored in the formation of an atomic nucleus.
- nutritional e. SYN: trophodynamics.
- potential e. the e., existing in a body by virtue of its position or state of existence, which is not being exerted at the time. SYN: e. of position, latent e..
- psychic e. in psychoanalysis, a hypothetical mental force, analogous to the physical concept of e., which enables and vitalizes an individual's psychological activity. SEE ALSO: libido. SYN: psychic force.
- solar e. e. derived from sunlight.
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1) the force driving and sustaining mental activity <in psychoanalytic theory the source of psychic \energy is the id>
2) the capacity for doing work
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en·er·gy (enґər-je) [Gr. energeia] the capacity to operate or work; the capacity to produce motion, to overcome resistance, and to effect physical changes. Symbol E.Medical dictionary. 2011.