Re: pinhole freezing point depression

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From: NFetter@aol.com
Date: Sun Dec 19 2004 - 15:32:03 PST 

From: NFetter@aol.com
Message-ID: <1d9.3270d2ea.2ef76973@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 18:32:03 EST
Subject: Re: pinhole freezing point depression

Hi Geoff,
That's a tough question. Basically, the solute particles lower the chemical
potential of the solvent molecules. At lower chemical potential, the vapor
pressure of the solvent also decreases, But as paul says; its more complicated
than that. Now what is chemical potential? Well that's a measure of the solvent
particle's average free energy (G). Now what is free energy? Free energy is the
capacity of a system to do work in the physics sense of the word. If this
answer confuses you, try your hand at statistical thermodynamics, which will give
you the mathematical treatment of solution vapor pressures. Also, some of the
publications of Gibbs (G) himself will give some insight into solution vapor
pressure. Gibbs is not easy reading.
Neil Fetter

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