Abstract: This chapter defines the concept of thermodynamic equilibrium. It describes the conditions under which equilibrium exists in thermodynamic systems. The system considered may consist of either a single phase or multiple phases and may include one or more components. In its simplest form, a system is said to be in equilibrium when its measurable properties do not change over time. There are no unbalanced driving potentials within a system in the thermodynamic equilibrium state, and the system in equilibrium experiences no change when it is isolated from its surroundings. The system is said to be at equilibrium if conditions for all types of thermodynamic equilibrium are satisfied. The equilibriums that can be encountered in a multiphase system include thermal equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, chemical equilibrium, and phase equilibrium. For a thermodynamic system to be in equilibrium, a mathematical treatment of the combination of the first two laws of thermodynamics must ascertain that certain intensive properties are uniform throughout the system.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 65
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