en·thal·py ( n th l p , n-thl-)n. Symbol H pl. en·thal·pies A thermodynamic function of a system, equivalent to the sum of the internal energy of the system plus the product of its volume multiplied by the pressure exerted on it by its surroundings. [Greek enthalpein, to heat in (en-, in; see en-2 + thalpein, to heat) + -y.] |
enthalpy [ˈɛnθəlpɪ ɛnˈθæl-]
n
(Physics / General Physics) a thermodynamic property of a system equal to the sum of its internal energy and the product of its pressure and volume. Symbol H Also called heat content total heat
[from Greek enthalpein to warm in, from en-2 + thalpein to warm]
| enthalpy (nthlp) A partial measure of the internal energy of a system. Enthalpy cannot be directly measured, but changes in it can be. If an outside pressure on a system is held constant, a change in enthalpy entails a change in the system's internal energy, plus a change in the system's volume (meaning the system exchanges energy with the outside world). For example, in endothermic chemical reactions, the change in enthalpy is the amount of energy absorbed by the reaction; in exothermic reactions, it is the amount given off. See also thermodynamics. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  enthalpy - (thermodynamics) a thermodynamic quantity equal to the internal energy of a system plus the product of its volume and pressure; "enthalpy is the amount of energy in a system capable of doing mechanical work"physical property - any property used to characterize matter and energy and their interactions thermodynamics - the branch of physics concerned with the conversion of different forms of energy |
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