Definition of Internal Energy



In a thermodynamic system, the total energy of the system is termed the internal energy. Internal energy is required in order to create a system in the given internal state. The internal energy does not include the kinetic energy and the potential energy of the system as a whole due to the fact that the external force fields also tend to interact with the system.

 


The internal energy determines the gains as well as the losses of the energy of the system. These changes happen due to the variations that exist in the internal state of the system.


View More General Chemistry Definitions