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THERMODYNAMICS &

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Basic Geochemistry Teaching Team
FTG
2017
GEOCHEMICAL SYSTEM
geochemical system is an open system that may be studied within 2 basic
frameworks:
➤ thermodynamic system
a state of equilibrium where environmental parameters, such as
pressure and temperature, are imposed on the bulk composition of the
system. This approach is used to predict the system stability and the impact
of changing environmental condition
➤ kinetic system
wherein the pathway along the system are moving toward some state of
local equilibrium, which in turn determines the rate of change along the
pathway. in the context of kinetic approach, which is relevant to geochemical
process, dissolution-precipitation, exchange-adsorption, oxidation-reduction,
vaporisation and formation of new phases.

THERMODYNAMICS
Thermodynamics
a system:
Some portion of the universe that you wish to study

the surroundings:
The adjacent part of the universe outside the system

Changes in a system are associated with the transfer of energy


Energy States

Unstable:
falling or rolling

Stable:
at rest in lowest energy state

Metastable:
in low-energy perch

Figure 5-1. Stability states. Winter (2001) An


Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.
Prentice Hall.
A review of basic thermodynamics: A refresher

The ball represents


mass exchange

The arrow represents


energy exchange
THERMODYNAMICS
study about the “heat” (thermo) and “work” (dynamics)
First law of thermodynamics:
➤ Energy is neither created nor destroyed.
➤ In other words, the total energy of the universe is a constant;
if the system loses energy, it must be gained by the
surroundings, and vice versa.
The First Law of Thermodynamics
• Heat and work are equivalent

• Energy is conserved in any transformation

• The change of energy of a system is independent of the path taken

Energy can be neither created nor destroyed


ΔE = q - w or dE = dq - dw dE = dq - P dV

E = internal energy P = pressure


q = heat V = volume
w = work
Enthalpy
dE = dq - P dV
H = E + PV
dH = dq

H = enthalpy

The change in the enthalpy of a system (ΔH) during a reversible


change in state at constant pressure is equal to the heat absorbed
by the system during that change in state.

The enthalpy of formation of compounds and their ions and


molecules in aqueous solution is the heat absorbed or given off by
chemical reactions in which the compounds, ions, and molecules
form from the elements in the standard state (25°C, 1 atm)
Heats of Reaction

ΔH = Σ nH (products) - Σ nH (reactants)

n = molar coefficient of each reactant/product

When ΔH is positive, the reaction is endothermic (heat flows


from the surroundings to the system);

When ΔH is negative, the reaction is exothermic (heat flows


from the system to the surroundings
Heats of Reaction

ΔH = Σ nH (products) - Σ nH (reactants)

For example, evaporation: H2O(l) H2O(g)

ΔH = H(H2O(g)) - H(H2O(l))
ΔH = (-57.80) - (-68.32) = 10.52 kcal
The reaction is endothermic (i.e., sweating is a mechanism
for cooling the body)
Heat Capacity
When heat is added to a solid, liquid, or gas, the temperature
of the substance increases:

dq = C dT
dq = dH
dH = C dT, at constant pressure (important in geochemistry)

C = heat capacity
T = temperature

Heat capacities vary with temperature…


The Second Law of Thermodynamics:
Entropy
The entropy of the universe always increases
ΔS = Σ nS (products) - Σ nS (reactants)

For example: H2O(l) H2O(g)

ΔS = S(H2O(l)) - S(H2O(g))
ΔS = 45.10 - 16.71 = 28.39 cal/deg
When ΔS is positive, entropy of the system increases with
the change of state;

When ΔS is negative, entropy decreases


THE THIRD LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
the entropy of a perfectly crystalline
material at the absolute zero (0 K) is zero
➤ entropy allows prediction of the feasibility of reactions

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

FREE ENERGY
Gibbs Free Energy
Gibbs free energy is a measure of chemical energy

All chemical systems tend naturally toward states of


minimum Gibbs free energy

G = H - TS
Where:
G = Gibbs Free Energy
H = Enthalpy (heat content)
T = Temperature in Kelvins
S = Entropy (can think of as randomness)
Gibbs Free Energy
• Products and reactants are in equilibrium when their Gibbs
free energies are equal

• A chemical reaction will proceed in the direction of lower


Gibbs free energy (i.e., ΔGr < 0)

…so the reaction won’t proceed if the reaction produces


an increase in Gibbs free energy
Gibbs Free Energy

ΔG°r = ΣnG°f (products) - ΣnG°f (reactants)

ΔG°r > 0, backwards reaction with deficient energy


ΔG°r < 0, forwards reaction with excess energy
ΔG°r = 0, reaction is in equilibrium
ΔG°r is a measure of the driving force
Thermodynamics
Summary thus far:
– G is a measure of relative chemical stability for a phase
– We can determine G for any phase by measuring H and S for
the reaction creating the phase from the elements

If we know G for various phases, we can determine which is most


stable
• Why is melt more stable than solids at high T?
• Is diamond or graphite stable at 150 km depth?
• What will be the effect of increased P on melting?

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