CHEMISTRY, KINETICS AND THERMODYNAMICS
Abstract
In the paper the equivalence of three ways of viewing the classical chemical equilibrium problem is discussed. From the point of view of classical chemistry, this problem can be stated as follows: Given the set of reactions that may occur among all the species of a chemical system, their equilibrium constants, and the initial composition of the system (i.e. the amounts of each species present in the system initially), find the equilibrium composition of the system. From the point of view of kinetics, the problem is to determine the evolution of the various parameters describing the system for the evolution of the various parameters describing the system from their initial values. When the parameters cease to change, the system must be in equilibrium. Given the same system, thermodynamics seeks that composition at which the usable (or free) energy remaining in the system is at a minimum. It can be shown that the system will then be at equilibrium. Much of the materiel contained herein is old. It is presented here in a consistent notation, and in a way intended to emphasize the common aspects of the three points of view.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0706018
Entities
People
- James H. Bigelow
Organizations
- Stanford University