Evolution of a Chemical System as a Trajectory in a Phase Space. A Fruitful Picture of the Second Law

Hervé Lemarchand
Laboratoire de Physique Théorique des Liquides, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4, place Jussieu, F-75252 Paris 05, France
Ludovic Jullien
Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24, rue Lhomond, F-75231 Paris 05, France
J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (6), p 803
DOI: 10.1021/ed078p803
Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2001

Abstract

Two simple examples are presented for introducing the general phase space of a dynamic system as a tool for picturing the evolution of chemical systems. In such a state space, the family of equilibrium states, referred as the equilibrium manifold, is completely determined through the second law of thermodynamics. Any system evolution is displayed as a trajectory belonging to a constraint manifold depending on the applied external constraints. In general, the final state of evolution is the intersection between the constraint and the equilibrium manifolds.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Subject):

Theoretical Chemistry
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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