Kurt Eaton

Thermodynamics of Phase Diagrams: A Derivation of Key Ideas

This area of the Analytical Concepts section will provide the reader with an analytical understanding of how phase regions are defined. Topics (in chronological order) covered will include:

Gibbs free energy of mixing:

• definition of free energy of mixing
• free energy for ideal and real solutions
• explanation of how and why free energy is the most useful tool for devloping phase diagrams
• will need fig.10.1 from Thermodynamics of Materials Science book (see me if you need a copy)

Initial Conditions and Equilibrium:

• Definition of a reference state
• Initial conditions of mixing for components in the system
• pressure, tmperature, composition, and phase form
• How to compare two free energy curves of different phases
• Explanation and illustration of the effect of changing the reference state and the shape of the G-X curve
• will need fig.10.2 from Thermodynamics of Materials Science book (see me if you need a copy)