15.4: Appendix D- Miscellaneous Abbreviations and Symbols

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Page ID: 23776

Howard DeVoe
University of Maryland

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$ \newcommand{\tx}[1]{\text{#1}}      % text in math mode$
$ \newcommand{\subs}[1]{_{\text{#1}}} % subscript text$
$ \newcommand{\sups}[1]{^{\text{#1}}} % superscript text$
$ \newcommand{\st}{^\circ}            % standard state symbol$
$ \newcommand{\id}{^{\text{id}}}      % ideal$
$ \newcommand{\rf}{^{\text{ref}}}     % reference state$
$ \newcommand{\units}[1]{\mbox{$\thinspace$#1}}$
$ \newcommand{\K}{\units{K}} % kelvins$
$ \newcommand{\degC}{^\circ\text{C}} % degrees Celsius$
$ \newcommand{\br}{\units{bar}} % bar (\bar is already defined)$
$ \newcommand{\Pa}{\units{Pa}}$
$ \newcommand{\mol}{\units{mol}} % mole$
$ \newcommand{\V}{\units{V}} % volts$
$ \newcommand{\timesten}[1]{\mbox{$\,\times\,10^{#1}$}}$
$ \newcommand{\per}{^{-1}} % minus one power$
$ \newcommand{\m}{_{\text{m}}} % subscript m for molar quantity$
$ \newcommand{\CVm}{C_{V,\text{m}}} % molar heat capacity at const.V$
$ \newcommand{\Cpm}{C_{p,\text{m}}} % molar heat capacity at const.p$
$ \newcommand{\kT}{\kappa_T} % isothermal compressibility$
$ \newcommand{\A}{_{\text{A}}} % subscript A for solvent or state A$
$ \newcommand{\B}{_{\text{B}}} % subscript B for solute or state B$
$ \newcommand{\bd}{_{\text{b}}} % subscript b for boundary or boiling point$
$ \newcommand{\C}{_{\text{C}}} % subscript C$
$ \newcommand{\f}{_{\text{f}}} % subscript f for freezing point$
$ \newcommand{\mA}{_{\text{m},\text{A}}} % subscript m,A (m=molar)$
$ \newcommand{\mB}{_{\text{m},\text{B}}} % subscript m,B (m=molar)$
$ \newcommand{\mi}{_{\text{m},i}}        % subscript m,i (m=molar)$
$ \newcommand{\fA}{_{\text{f},\text{A}}} % subscript f,A (for fr. pt.)$
$ \newcommand{\fB}{_{\text{f},\text{B}}} % subscript f,B (for fr. pt.)$
$ \newcommand{\xbB}{_{x,\text{B}}}       % x basis, B$
$ \newcommand{\xbC}{_{x,\text{C}}}       % x basis, C$
$ \newcommand{\cbB}{_{c,\text{B}}}       % c basis, B$
$ \newcommand{\mbB}{_{m,\text{B}}}       % m basis, B$
$ \newcommand{\kHi}{k_{\text{H},i}}      % Henry's law constant, x basis, i$
$ \newcommand{\kHB}{k_{\text{H,B}}}      % Henry's law constant, x basis, B$
$ \newcommand{\arrow}{\,\rightarrow\,} % right arrow with extra spaces$
$ \newcommand{\arrows}{\,\rightleftharpoons\,} % double arrows with extra spaces$
$ \newcommand{\ra}{\rightarrow} % right arrow (can be used in text mode)$
$ \newcommand{\eq}{\subs{eq}} % equilibrium state$
$ \newcommand{\onehalf}{\textstyle\frac{1}{2}\D} % small 1/2 for display equation$
$ \newcommand{\sys}{\subs{sys}} % system property$
$ \newcommand{\sur}{\sups{sur}} % surroundings$
$ \renewcommand{\in}{\sups{int}} % internal$
$ \newcommand{\lab}{\subs{lab}} % lab frame$
$ \newcommand{\cm}{\subs{cm}} % center of mass$
$ \newcommand{\rev}{\subs{rev}} % reversible$
$ \newcommand{\irr}{\subs{irr}} % irreversible$
$ \newcommand{\fric}{\subs{fric}} % friction$
$ \newcommand{\diss}{\subs{diss}} % dissipation$
$ \newcommand{\el}{\subs{el}} % electrical$
$ \newcommand{\cell}{\subs{cell}} % cell$
$ \newcommand{\As}{A\subs{s}} % surface area$
$ \newcommand{\E}{^\mathsf{E}} % excess quantity (superscript)$
$ \newcommand{\allni}{\{n_i \}} % set of all n_i$
$ \newcommand{\sol}{\hspace{-.1em}\tx{(sol)}}$
$ \newcommand{\solmB}{\tx{(sol,$\,$$m\B$)}}$
$ \newcommand{\dil}{\tx{(dil)}}$
$ \newcommand{\sln}{\tx{(sln)}}$
$ \newcommand{\mix}{\tx{(mix)}}$
$ \newcommand{\rxn}{\tx{(rxn)}}$
$ \newcommand{\expt}{\tx{(expt)}}$
$ \newcommand{\solid}{\tx{(s)}}$
$ \newcommand{\liquid}{\tx{(l)}}$
$ \newcommand{\gas}{\tx{(g)}}$
$ \newcommand{\pha}{\alpha}        % phase alpha$
$ \newcommand{\phb}{\beta}         % phase beta$
$ \newcommand{\phg}{\gamma}        % phase gamma$
$ \newcommand{\aph}{^{\alpha}}     % alpha phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\bph}{^{\beta}}      % beta phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\gph}{^{\gamma}}     % gamma phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\aphp}{^{\alpha'}}   % alpha prime phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\bphp}{^{\beta'}}    % beta prime phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\gphp}{^{\gamma'}}   % gamma prime phase superscript$
$ \newcommand{\apht}{\small\aph} % alpha phase tiny superscript$
$ \newcommand{\bpht}{\small\bph} % beta phase tiny superscript$
$ \newcommand{\gpht}{\small\gph} % gamma phase tiny superscript$

$ \newcommand{\upOmega}{\Omega}$

$ \newcommand{\dif}{\mathop{}\!\mathrm{d}} % roman d in math mode, preceded by space$
$ \newcommand{\Dif}{\mathop{}\!\mathrm{D}} % roman D in math mode, preceded by space$
$ \newcommand{\df}{\dif\hspace{0.05em} f} % df$

$\newcommand{\dBar}{\mathop{}\!\mathrm{d}\hspace-.3em\raise1.05ex{\Rule{.8ex}{.125ex}{0ex}}} % inexact differential $
$ \newcommand{\dq}{\dBar q} % heat differential$
$ \newcommand{\dw}{\dBar w} % work differential$
$ \newcommand{\dQ}{\dBar Q} % infinitesimal charge$
$ \newcommand{\dx}{\dif\hspace{0.05em} x} % dx$
$ \newcommand{\dt}{\dif\hspace{0.05em} t} % dt$
$ \newcommand{\difp}{\dif\hspace{0.05em} p} % dp$
$ \newcommand{\Del}{\Delta}$
$ \newcommand{\Delsub}[1]{\Delta_{\text{#1}}}$
$ \newcommand{\pd}[3]{(\partial #1 / \partial #2 )_{#3}} % \pd{}{}{} - partial derivative, one line$
$ \newcommand{\Pd}[3]{\left( \dfrac {\partial #1} {\partial #2}\right)_{#3}} % Pd{}{}{} - Partial derivative, built-up$
$ \newcommand{\bpd}[3]{[ \partial #1 / \partial #2 ]_{#3}}$
$ \newcommand{\bPd}[3]{\left[ \dfrac {\partial #1} {\partial #2}\right]_{#3}}$
$ \newcommand{\dotprod}{\small\bullet}$
$ \newcommand{\fug}{f} % fugacity$
$ \newcommand{\g}{\gamma} % solute activity coefficient, or gamma in general$
$ \newcommand{\G}{\varGamma} % activity coefficient of a reference state (pressure factor)$
$ \newcommand{\ecp}{\widetilde{\mu}} % electrochemical or total potential$
$ \newcommand{\Eeq}{E\subs{cell, eq}} % equilibrium cell potential$
$ \newcommand{\Ej}{E\subs{j}} % liquid junction potential$
$ \newcommand{\mue}{\mu\subs{e}} % electron chemical potential$
$ \newcommand{\defn}{\,\stackrel{\mathrm{def}}{=}\,} % "equal by definition" symbol$

$ \newcommand{\D}{\displaystyle} % for a line in built-up$
$ \newcommand{\s}{\smash[b]} % use in equations with conditions of validity$
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$ \newcommand{\R}{8.3145\units{J$\,$K$\per\,$mol$\per$}} % gas constant value$
$ \newcommand{\Rsix}{8.31447\units{J$\,$K$\per\,$mol$\per$}} % gas constant value - 6 sig figs$

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D.1 Physical States

These abbreviations for physical states (states of aggregation) may be appended in parentheses to chemical formulas or used as superscripts to symbols for physical quantities. All but “mixt” are listed in the IUPAC Green Book (E. Richard Cohen et al, Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry, 3rd edition, RSC Publishing, Cambridge, 2007, p. 54).

\begin{array}{@{}ll@{}} \tx{g} & \tx{gas or vapor} \cr \tx{l} & \tx{liquid} \cr \tx{f} & \tx{fluid (gas or liquid)} \cr \tx{s} & \tx{solid} \cr \tx{cd} & \tx{condensed phase (liquid or solid)} \cr \tx{cr} & \tx{crystalline} \cr \tx{mixt} & \tx{mixture} \cr \tx{sln} & \tx{solution} \cr \tx{aq} & \tx{aqueous solution} \cr \tx{aq$,\infty $} & \tx{aqueous solution at infinite dilution} \end{array}

D.2 Subscripts for Chemical Processes

These abbreviations are used as subscripts to the $\Del$ symbol. They are listed in the IUPAC Green Book (E. Richard Cohen et al, Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry, 3rd edition, RSC Publishing, Cambridge, 2007, p. 59–60).

The combination $\Delsub{p}$, where “p” is any one of the abbreviations below, can be interpreted as an operator: $\Delsub{p} \defn \partial/\partial\xi\subs{p}$ where $\xi\subs{p}$ is the advancement of the given process at constant temperature and pressure. For example, $\Delsub{c}H = \pd{H}{\xi\subs{c}}{T,p}$ is the molar differential enthalpy of combustion.

\begin{array}{@{}ll@{}} \tx{vap} & \tx{vaporization, evaporation (l $\ra$ g)}\cr \tx{sub} & \tx{sublimation (s $\ra$ g)}\cr \tx{fus} & \tx{melting, fusion (s $\ra$ l)}\cr \tx{trs} & \tx{transition between two phases}\cr \tx{mix} & \tx{mixing of fluids}\cr \tx{sol} & \tx{solution of a solute in solvent}\cr \tx{dil} & \tx{dilution of a solution}\cr \tx{ads} & \tx{adsorption} \cr \tx{dpl} & \tx{displacement} \cr \tx{imm} & \tx{immersion} \cr \tx{r} & \tx{reaction in general} \cr \tx{at} & \tx{atomization} \cr \tx{c} & \tx{combustion reaction} \cr \tx{f} & \tx{formation reaction}\cr \end{array}

D.3 Superscripts

These abbreviations and symbols are used as superscripts to symbols for physical quantities. All but $'$, int, and ref are listed as recommended superscripts in the IUPAC Green Book (E. Richard Cohen et al, Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry, 3rd edition, RSC Publishing, Cambridge, 2007, p. 60).

\begin{array}{@{}ll@{}} \st & \tx{standard} \cr ^* & \tx{pure substance} \cr ' & \tx{Legendre transform of a thermodynamic potential} \cr \infty & \tx{infinite dilution} \cr \tx{id} & \tx{ideal} \cr \tx{int} & \tx{integral} \cr \textsf{E} & \tx{excess quantity} \cr \tx{ref} & \tx{reference state} \end{array}