next up previous
Next: Binary Phase Diagrams Up: Continuum Thermodynamics Previous: Phase Diagram Construction

Gibb's Free Energy of Solution

The free energy of a homogeneous solution is very different from a heterogeneous composite.

Figure 2-3: Free energy of homogeneous solution (curve) and free energy of heterogeneous composite (line).
\begin{figure}\resizebox{6in}{!}
{\epsfig{file=figures/Gmix.eps}}
\end{figure}

The reduction in free energy at a fixed composition drives systems into solution.




W. Craig Carter 2002-09-05