RE-EXAMINATION OF NUCLEATION AND CONDENSATION OF WATER.
Abstract
The paper re-examines several theoretical and interpretive problems in homogeneous nucleation from the vapor phase. A theory of cluster thermodynamics is presented wherein clusters are considered to have the classical macroscopic surface energy and also the translation and rotation energies noted by Lothe and Pound. The resulting equilibrium concentrations of clusters are about 10 to the 20th power greater than predicted by the classical liquid-drop theory because of the translation-rotation energy. The present thermodynamic theory is identical to that suggested by Rodebush (and implied by Frenkel and Reed) but the 10 to the 20th power disparity has remained unnoticed. The differences between the present and recent theories arise from different approaches to the energy of the 3ng-6 vibration modes in a cluster and specifically the energies of the 6 non-appearing modes. A complete omission of these 6 energies gives the present 10 to the 20th power factor, an omission of the zero-point energies of the 6 modes gives the Lothe-Pound 10 to the 17th power factor, and inclusion of the zero-point energies gives a .0001 - 10 to the 10th power factor (the Kuhrt theory). (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0621254
Entities
People
- Welby G. Courtney