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An equation of state is one that relates "state" variables. A state variable is one that only depends on the current state of a system, not how you got there. Examples of state variables include (but are not limited to); Temperature, Pressure, Internal energy (or specific internal energy), density (or its reciprocal, specific volume), enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, entropy, and fugacity. These are in contrast to path variable such as Work and Heat. To calculate the change in a state variable, you only need to know the beginning and ending states. Because it is not path dependent, we often do the calculations in pieces along a hypothetical path were we know how to calculate each change and then add them up. The path we calculate does not need to be the actual path taken. Contrast this with calculating the work done along a path - where the path is everything.

An example would be calculating a change in elevation for a car. You could calculate it by taking a hypothetical path where you drop it from its current elevation to sea level and then raise it from sea level back to its final elevation. Contrast that with figuring out how much gasoline it would take to drive it from a farm in the hills down to the coast and then back up into the mountains. The work for that path would be different from taking a road straight from the farm up into the mountains. The change in elevation from start to finish would still be the same though - elevation is a state function and calculations of elevation are state functions.

Some of the commonly used equations of state deal specifically with the relationship between the Pressure, Temperature, and Volume (or specific volume) of a system - especially gases. Examples include:

Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT

Van derWaals

(P + n2a/V2)(V - nb) = nRT

Redlich-Kwong

P = RT/(Vm - b) - a/[√T · Vm(Vm + b)] where Vm = V/n, the molar volume

Others include the Soave modification to Redlich-Kwong, Wilson, and Peng-Robinson.

Not all of these equations work well under all conditions. The Ideal Gas Law fails as systems become cold and dense. The Wilson Equation fails to predict the existence of liquid/liquid immiscibility (like oil and water). None of the above equations of state describe solids - that requires still other equations of state.

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What is thermodynamic equilibrium in physics?

Thermodynamic equilibrium is a state in which a system is not experiencing any net change in its macroscopic properties over time. In this state, the system's temperature, pressure, and other relevant variables are uniform and do not exhibit any gradients. This concept is important in understanding the behavior of systems in thermodynamics.


What is special about the entropy in thermodynamic equilibrium compared to all statesof a system?

In thermodynamic equilibrium, the system's entropy is maximized, reaching a state of maximum disorder or randomness. This is unique compared to other states of the system where entropy may be increasing or decreasing as the system approaches equilibrium. At equilibrium, the system has reached a stable condition where the distribution of energy and molecules is uniform, making it a distinct state in terms of entropy.


What are two factors same for the density of a pure substance to stay constant?

Density is an intrinsic property of each type of material, defined as the total mass divided by the total volume. Obviously, two samples of the material which have the same mass and same volume will have the same density, but that is not that answer to this question. This question is about the thermodynamic state of a material and the answer is temperature and pressure. The thermodynamic state of a system is a set of properties that are reproducible when the thermodynamic variables have been specified. Density is one such property. Specifying the temperature, pressure and specifying the quantity and type of material of a system determines density at equilibrium. The equilibrium condition is critically important in that assertion. It is a fundamental premise of thermodynamics that the state of a simple system at equilibrium can be completely characterized by specifying two independent property variables, such as temperature and pressure, and the quantities of the chemical constituents. Any system then with the same thermodynamic state has the same intrinsic properties such as density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, viscosity, and other characteristics.


What is thermodynamic equilibrium?

At thermodynamic equilibrium the dynamic processes for changes in a system have reached a steady state (not changing with time) where temperature has stabilized to a constant, no heat is being exchanged, no work is occurring, composition is constant (reactants are being converted to products at the same rate that the products are converting back to the reactants), pressure is constant, if there is more than one phase, movement between the phases is balanced (for example evaporation and condensation are occurring at the same rate), and there are no concentration gradients.


What is viral equation of state?

the Equation of State is a thermodynamic equation describing the state of matter under a given set of physical conditions. It is a constitutive equation which provides a mathematical relationship between two or more state functions associated with the matter, such as its temperature, pressure, volume, or internal energy. there are two common types of this equations of state. the first one is Cubic E.O.S, which has a triple root for its solution and the second one is the Viral Equation of State which depends mainly on a long series of constants that depend on Tr and Pr and other materials properties.

Related Questions

How can one determine the virial coefficients in a thermodynamic system?

To determine the virial coefficients in a thermodynamic system, one can use the virial equation of state, which relates the pressure of a gas to its volume and temperature. By measuring the pressure, volume, and temperature of the gas under different conditions, one can calculate the virial coefficients using mathematical equations derived from the virial equation of state.


What is the first law of thermodynamics equation and how does it relate to the conservation of energy in a thermodynamic system?

The first law of thermodynamics equation is: U Q - W. This equation states that the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. This equation relates to the conservation of energy in a thermodynamic system because it shows that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between different forms (heat and work) within the system.


What is Equation of state?

In cosmology, the equation of state of a perfect fluid is characterized by a dimensionless number w, equal to the ratio of its pressure p to its energy density ρ: . It is closely related to the thermodynamic equation of state and ideal gas law.


What is the significance of the equation of state for liquids in understanding their thermodynamic properties?

The equation of state for liquids is important in understanding their thermodynamic properties because it describes how the volume, pressure, and temperature of a liquid are related. This equation helps scientists predict and analyze the behavior of liquids under different conditions, which is crucial for various applications in chemistry, physics, and engineering.


What are the fundamental equations used to calculate entropy in a thermodynamic system?

The fundamental equations used to calculate entropy in a thermodynamic system are the Boltzmann equation and the Gibbs entropy formula. These equations take into account the number of possible microstates of a system and the probability of each microstate occurring, which helps determine the overall entropy of the system.


How do you make a sentence for enthalpy?

Enthalpy is a thermodynamic property of a thermodynamic system.


What is thermodynamic probability?

Thermodynamic probability refers to the number of microstates corresponding to a particular macrostate of a thermodynamic system. It quantifies the likelihood of a system being in a specific state based on the arrangement of its particles. In statistical mechanics, higher thermodynamic probability indicates a more stable and favorable macrostate, as systems tend to evolve toward configurations with greater probability. This concept is foundational in connecting microscopic behavior to macroscopic thermodynamic properties.


What is thermodynamic equilibrium in physics?

Thermodynamic equilibrium is a state in which a system is not experiencing any net change in its macroscopic properties over time. In this state, the system's temperature, pressure, and other relevant variables are uniform and do not exhibit any gradients. This concept is important in understanding the behavior of systems in thermodynamics.


What is the significance of entropy at equilibrium in a thermodynamic system?

At equilibrium in a thermodynamic system, entropy represents the measure of disorder or randomness. It indicates the system's tendency to reach a state of maximum disorder and minimum energy. This is significant because it helps determine the direction in which processes occur and the overall stability of the system.


What factors contribute to the thermodynamic stability of a system?

The factors that contribute to the thermodynamic stability of a system include the system's energy, entropy, and the interactions between its components. A stable system typically has lower energy and higher entropy, and its components are in a balanced state that minimizes changes in energy and maximizes disorder.


Is internal energy a thermodynamic function?

Yes, internal energy is a thermodynamic function or state function,


What are the conditions for availability in a thermodynamic system?

You can search the relevant meaning of the availability condition for thermodynamic system in the wikipedia since there's so much to learn and laws of thermodynamic equilibrium that explains what and those condition works.