The elusive chemical potential

The elusive chemical potential

This paper offers some qualitative understanding of the chemical potential, a topic that students invariably find difficult. Three “meanings” for the chemical potential are stated and then supported by analytical development. Two substantial applications—depression of the melting point and batteries...

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Veröffentlicht in:American journal of physics 2001-04, Vol.69 (4), p.423-434
1. Verfasser: Baierlein, Ralph
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Chemicals
Experiments
Physics
Science education
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This paper offers some qualitative understanding of the chemical potential, a topic that students invariably find difficult. Three “meanings” for the chemical potential are stated and then supported by analytical development. Two substantial applications—depression of the melting point and batteries—illustrate the chemical potential in action. The origin of the term “chemical potential” has its surprises, and a sketch of the history concludes the paper.
ISSN:0002-9505
1943-2909
DOI:10.1119/1.1336839