23: Phase Equilibria
- Page ID
- 11819
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Phase equilibria is the term used to describe with two or more phases co-exist (in equilibrium). The stability of phases can be predicted by the chemical potential, in that the most stable form of the substance will have the minimum chemical potential at the given temperature and pressure. A key tool in exploring phase equilibria is a phase diagram which is used to show conditions (pressure, temperature, volume, etc.) at which thermodynamically distinct phases (such as solid, liquid or gaseous states) occur and coexist at equilibrium.
- 23.1: A Phase Diagram Summarizes the Solid-Liquid-Gas Behavior of a Substance
- A good map will take you to your destination with ease, provided you know how to read it. A map is an example of a diagram, a pictorial representation of a body of knowledge. In science they play a considerable role. Next to plots and tables diagrams are an important means of making information and/or theoretical knowledge accessible.
- 23.2: Gibbs Energies and Phase Diagrams
- Gibbs energy is a continuous function as a function of temperature. The derivative, however, is discontinuous during phase changes.
- 23.3: The Chemical Potentials of a Pure Substance in Two Phases in Equilibrium
- When two phases are in thermodynamic equilibrium for a pure substance, the two phases must have the same chemical potential. This can be used to define the phase boundary between the phases, known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
- 23.4: The Clausius-Clapeyron Equation
- The Clausius-Clapeyron Equation and allows us to estimate the vapor pressure at another temperature, if the vapor pressure is known at some temperature, and if the enthalpy of vaporization is known.
- 23.5: Chemical Potential Can be Evaluated From a Partition Function
- Just like other thermodynamic values, the chemical potential can be written in terms of the partition function. The solution can be readily obtained by looking at the Helmholtz energy and Gibbs energy of the system.
- 23.E: Phase Equilibria (Exercises)
- These are homework exercises to accompany Chapter 23 of McQuarrie and Simon's "Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach" Textmap.