๐Ÿงชap chemistry review

Sum of Kinetic and Potential Energies within a System, Measured in Joules, State Function

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

This refers to the total amount of kinetic and potential energies present within a given system at any point in time. It's known as a state function because it only depends on the current state of the system, not how it got there.

AP course connection

Topic 6.6: 6.6 Introduction to Enthalpy of Reaction

Unit 6

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