Part II: Chemical Thermodynamics
Extending the laws of thermodynamics to chemical systems: phase transitions, solution behavior, chemical equilibrium, and electrochemistry. These topics bridge the gap between abstract thermodynamic principles and practical chemistry.
Part Overview
Chemical thermodynamics applies the fundamental laws to systems undergoing phase changes and chemical reactions. We study how phases coexist and transform, how chemical potential drives mixing and separation, and how Gibbs energy determines the direction and extent of chemical reactions.
Key Topics
- • Phase diagrams, Clausius-Clapeyron equation, Gibbs phase rule
- • Chemical potential, activity, fugacity, ideal and real solutions
- • Raoult's law and Henry's law for solution behavior
- • Chemical equilibrium and the van't Hoff equation
- • Electrochemistry and the Nernst equation
3 chapters | Phase Equilibria, Chemical Potential, and Reactions | Core of physical chemistry
Chapters
Chapter 4: Phase Equilibria
The Clausius-Clapeyron equation, phase diagrams for single and multi-component systems, triple points, critical points, and the Gibbs phase rule $F = C - P + 2$.
Chapter 5: Chemical Potential
Chemical potential $\mu = \partial G / \partial n$, ideal and real solutions, activity coefficients, fugacity, Raoult's law, and Henry's law.
Chapter 6: Chemical Reactions
Equilibrium constants from $\Delta G^\circ = -RT \ln K$, the van't Hoff equation, Le Chatelier's principle, and electrochemistry via the Nernst equation.