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Phase diagram:
The diagram which represents the conditions of equilibrium between different phases is called phase diagram.
One component system:
The water system consists of three phases, Viz., ice, water and water vapour.
Ice (s) ⇄ Water (l) ⇄ Watervapour (g)
H2O is the only chemical compound involved, hence the number of component is one (C = 1).
From phase rule,
F=C–P+2 =1-P+2=3-P
i.e. the degree of freedom depends on the number of phases present at equilibrium.
Three different cases are possible:
(a) P = 1, F = 2 (Bivariant system)
(b) P = 2, F = 1 (Univariant system)
(c) P = 3, F = 0 (Invariant system)
The water system can be represented by a two dimensional diagram with convenient variables, pressure and temperature.
It consists of
- Curves OA, OB and OC.
- Areas: AOB, AOC and BOC.
- Triple point.
Meta stable equilibrium.
- Curves OA, OB and OC:
Curve | Representation | Equilibrium | Number of phases |
---|---|---|---|
OA vapour pressure curve | Vapour pressure of a liquid water | Water(l)⇌Vapour(g) | 2 |
OB sublimation curve | Vapour pressure of solid-ice | Ice(s)⇌Vapour(g) | 2 |
OC fusion curve | Melting of ice | Ice(g)⇌Water(l) | 2 |
Along the curves, the equilibrium has two phases and one component.
Therefore P=2, C=1 and F=C-P+2
=1-2 + 2
=1
Hence the system along OA, OB and OC is univariant.
- Areas AOB, AOC and BOC:
Curve | Representation | No. of phases |
---|---|---|
OAC | Conditions of water existence | 1 |
AOB | Conditions of water vapour existence | 1 |
BOC | Conditions of ice existence | 1 |
In all the areas system has one phase and one component.
Therefore p=1, C=1 and F=C-P+2=1-1+2=2
Hence the system is bivariant.
- Triple point “O”:
The curves OA, OB and OC meets at the triple point “O” where all the three phases are co – exist. This occurs at the temperature, 0.0075oC and pressure, 4.58 mm Hg.
Therefore P=3, C=1 and F=C-P+2=1-3+2=0
Hence the system is invariant. If the temperature or pressure is changed the three phase system would not exist.
- Meta stable equilibrium:
The vapour pressure curve of water OA can be continued after the triple point upto A’. It is represented by dashed line OA’. The super cooled water/vapour system is meta stable. On slight disturbance it reverts to stable system (ice).