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Gibbs–Duhem equation

Gibbs–Duhem equation is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Gibbs–Duhem equation rather than just read about it. In short: In thermodynamics, the Gibbs–Duhem equation describes the relationship between changes in chemical potential for components in a thermodynamic system: ∑ i = 1 I N i d μ i = − S d T + V d p {\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{I}N_{i}\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}=-S\mathrm {d} T+V\mathrm {d} p} where N i {\displaystyle N_{i}} is the number of moles of component i , d μ i {\displaystyle i,\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}} the infinitesimal increas…

Gibbs–Duhem equation — main illustration
Gibbs–Duhem equation — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Gibbs–Duhem equation belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Gibbs–Duhem equation to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Gibbs–Duhem equation from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In thermodynamics, the Gibbs–Duhem equation describes the relationship between changes in chemical potential for components in a thermodynamic system:

∑ i = 1 I N i d μ i = − S d T + V d p {\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{I}N_{i}\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}=-S\mathrm {d} T+V\mathrm {d} p}

where N i {\displaystyle N_{i}} is the number of moles of component i , d μ i {\displaystyle i,\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}} the infinitesimal increase in chemical potential for this component, S {\displaystyle S} the entropy, T {\displaystyle T} the absolute temperature, V {\displaystyle V} volume and p {\displaystyle p} the pressure. I {\displaystyle I} is the number of different components in the system. This equation shows that in thermodynamics intensive properties are not independent but related, making it a mathematical statement of the state postulate. When pressure and temperature are variable, only I − 1 {\displaystyle I-1} of I {\displaystyle I} components have independent values for chemical potential and Gibbs' phase rule follows. The Gibbs−Duhem equation applies to homogeneous thermodynamic systems. It does not apply to inhomogeneous systems such as small thermodynamic systems, systems subject to long-range forces like electricity and gravity, or to fluids in porous media. The equation is named after Josiah Willard Gibbs and Pierre Duhem.

Derivation The Gibbs–Duhem equation follows from assuming the system can be scaled in amount perfectly. Gibbs derived the relationship based on the thought experiment of varying the amount of substance starting from zero, keeping its nature and state the same. Mathematically, this means the internal energy U {\displaystyle U} scales with its extensive variables as follows:

U ( λ S , λ V , λ N 1 , λ N 2 , … ) = λ U ( S , V , N 1 , N 2 , … ) {\displaystyle U(\lambda S,\lambda V,\lambda N_{1},\lambda N_{2},\ldots )=\lambda U(S,V,N_{1},N_{2},\ldots )}

where S , V , N 1 , N 2 , … {\displaystyle S,V,N_{1},N_{2},\ldots } are all of the extensive variables of system: entropy, volume, and particle numbers. The internal energy is thus a first-order homogenous function. Applying Euler's homogeneous function theorem, one finds the following relation:

U = T S − p V + ∑ i = 1 I μ i N i {\displaystyle U=TS-pV+\sum _{i=1}^{I}\mu _{i}N_{i}}

Taking the total differential, one finds

d U = T d S + S d T − p d V − V d p + ∑ i = 1 I μ i d N i + ∑ i = 1 I N i d μ i {\displaystyle \mathrm {d} U=T\mathrm {d} S+S\mathrm {d} T-p\mathrm {d} V-V\mathrm {d} p+\sum _{i=1}^{I}\mu _{i}\mathrm {d} N_{i}+\sum _{i=1}^{I}N_{i}\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}}

From both sides one can subtract the fundamental thermodynamic relation,

d U = T d S − p d V + ∑ i = 1 I μ i d N i {\displaystyle \mathrm {d} U=T\mathrm {d} S-p\mathrm {d} V+\sum _{i=1}^{I}\mu _{i}\mathrm {d} N_{i}}

yielding the Gibbs–Duhem equation

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Gibbs–Duhem equation: Josiah Willard Gibbs
Josiah Willard Gibbs

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Gibbs–Duhem equation

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Gibbs–Duhem equation claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Gibbs–Duhem equation before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Gibbs–Duhem equation ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Gibbs–Duhem equation

In research
Gibbs–Duhem equation appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Gibbs–Duhem equation in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Gibbs–Duhem equation is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Chemical thermodynamics, Thermodynamic equations, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Gibbs–Duhem equation outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Gibbs–Duhem equation in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Gibbs–Duhem equation means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Gibbs–Duhem equation out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gibbs–Duhem equation in simple terms?

In thermodynamics, the Gibbs–Duhem equation describes the relationship between changes in chemical potential for components in a thermodynamic system: ∑ i = 1 I N i d μ i = − S d T + V d p {\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{I}N_{i}\mathrm {d} \mu _{i}=-S\mathrm {d} T+V\mathrm {d} p} where N i {\displaysty…

Why does Gibbs–Duhem equation matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Gibbs–Duhem equation?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Gibbs–Duhem equation.

Tags

  • Chemical thermodynamics
  • Thermodynamic equations

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