Chemical thermodynamics: Gibbs free energy, chemical potential, phase rule
Termodinámica química: energía libre, potencial químico y regla de las fases
- Date
- 1875-1878 · confidence high
- Place
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Credited to
- Josiah Willard Gibbs
- People
- 👤 Josiah Willard Gibbs1839–1903
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
In 'On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances', Gibbs introduces chemical potential and free energy, which determine the spontaneity and equilibrium of reactions, along with the phase rule. It is the theoretical foundation of the whole of physical chemistry.
Helmholtz (1882) independently developed free energy at constant volume.
What it led to
- Physical chemistry
- Thermodynamic electrochemistry (Nernst)
- Metallurgy and phase diagrams
- Chemical engineering
Built on
- Law of mass action1864
- second law of thermodynamics (Clausius)
Made possible
- Nernst equation1889
- alloy phase diagrams
- equilibrium yield calculation