Solvation free energy is the energy change associated with the process of solvation, which refers to the interaction between solvent molecules and solute particles. It reflects how favorable it is for a solute to dissolve in a solvent, taking into account both enthalpic and entropic contributions to the overall free energy change during the dissolution process. Understanding solvation free energy is crucial when examining explicit solvent models and QM/MM approaches as it helps in predicting solubility, reaction rates, and stability of molecular systems.
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