Thermodynamics II

Abstract

CHAPTER 6 Thermodynamics – II  Clausius-Clapeyron Equation The Clausius-Clapeyron equation was initially proposed by a German physics Rudolf Clausius in 1834 and then further developed by French physicist Benoît Clapeyron in 1850. This equation is extremely useful in characterizing a discontinuous phase transition between two phases of a single constituent.  Derivation of Clausius-Clapeyron Equation In order to derive the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, consider a system at equilibrium i.e. the free energy change for the ongoing process is zero (ΔG = 0). However, we know from the principles of thermodynamics that the variation of free energy with temperature and pressure can be formulated by the following differential equation.