Phase Change ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell




1. Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium

  • Vaporization (Evaporation & Boiling)

    • Evaporation: Occurs below boiling point.
    • Boiling: Occurs at or above boiling point.
  • Condensation: Gas → Liquid.

  • Dynamic Equilibrium:

    • When rate of evaporation = rate of condensation.
    • Equilibrium vapor pressure: Pressure at which equilibrium is reached.
    • Higher temperature → Higher vapor pressure.


2. Heat of Vaporization & Boiling Point

  • Molar Heat of Vaporization (ΔHvap)

    • Energy required to vaporize 1 mole of liquid.
    • Stronger intermolecular forces → Higher boiling point.
  • Critical Point:

    • Critical Temperature (Tc): Highest temperature where liquid exists.
    • Critical Pressure (Pc): Highest pressure where liquid exists.
  • Supercritical Fluid: Exists beyond critical temperature & pressure.



3. Liquid-Solid Equilibrium

  • Melting & Freezing Points:

    • Melting Point = Freezing Point (at equilibrium).
    • Usually measured at 1 atm.
  • Molar Heat of Fusion (ΔHfus):

    • Energy needed to melt 1 mole of solid.
    • Fusion energy < Vaporization energy because:
      • Melting rearranges molecules, while vaporization completely separates molecules.
  • Supercooling: Liquid is temporarily cooled below freezing point without solidifying.



4. Solid-Gas Equilibrium

  • Sublimation: Solid → Gas (e.g., dry ice CO₂).

  • Deposition: Gas → Solid (e.g., frost formation).

  • Molar Heat of Sublimation (ΔHsub):

    • Energy required to sublimate 1 mole of solid.
    • ΔHsub = ΔHfus + ΔHvap (Sublimation = Melting + Vaporization).


In a nutshell

  • Melting (Solid → Liquid) & Boiling (Liquid → Gas) require energy.
  • Freezing (Liquid → Solid) & Deposition (Gas → Solid) release energy.



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