Thermodynamics: Phase Transformations and Chemical Potential

This lecture covers the fundamentals of thermodynamics, focusing on phase transformations and the behavior of pure substances. It begins with a review of thermodynamic principles, including intensive and extensive variables, and the energy exchanges between systems and their environments. The instructor discusses the Gibbs phase rule and the chemical potential in binary systems, emphasizing the differences between ideal and regular solutions. The effects of pressure and curvature on phase equilibrium are explored, particularly through the Clausius-Clapeyron equation and the Gibbs-Thomson effect. The lecture also addresses the significance of latent heat during phase transitions, such as melting and crystallization, and how these processes are influenced by temperature and pressure. The instructor illustrates these concepts with practical examples, including the behavior of metallic glasses and the impact of particle size on melting temperatures. The session concludes with a discussion on the implications of these thermodynamic principles in materials science and engineering applications.