Topic 4 Flashcards
Energy (Definition)
Ability or capacity to do work, to bring about change, make things happen
Potential energy (definition)
Type of energy that refers to the potential to do work
Chemical energy (definition)
Potential energy locked in the bonds of molecules. When bonds are broken, kinetic energy is released
The first Law of Thermodynamics
In Any system= useful and useless energy
Energy is transformed or converted= always a loss of usable or heat energy
Measure of useless energy= Entropy (Disorder)
Low entropy
High order, useful energy
High Entropy
Low order, useful energy
Another way to look at homeostasis
Maintaining order when the tendency is towards disorder
Homeostasis is maintaining life
order; need energy to accomplish this
Living things are
highly ordered, less ‘random’
Living things have
low entropy
Dead organisms have
high entropy
