Electron. J. Math. Phys. Sci., 2002, 1,1, 120-126

 

CONDENSATION ON IONS

 

Borislav V. Toshev

Physical Chemistry Department, University of Sofia, 1, James Bourchier Blvd., 1126 Sofia, Bulgaria, E-mail: toshev@chem.uni-sofia.bg

 

Received: 26 February 2002/ Accepted: 15 May 2002/ Published: 22 August 20002

Abstract: The transition of a homogeneous system into a heterogeneous one may occur spontaneously in a labile region of supersaturations; in the metastable region of supersaturations it is realized as an energy barrier-determined process. The limit that separates  the labile region from the metastable one  is the boundary supersaturation s_m>>s_cr,  where s_cr is the critical supersaturation. The W-potential thermodynamic formalism, W = F - G, where F and G are the Helmholtz and the Gibbs free energies, respectively, allows a straightforward derivation of the formula of Tohmfor and Volmer (1938) for a nucleus formation on an ion. For the case of charged liquid drops, expressions for the capillary pressure, the vapor pressure,  the work of formation of  equilibrium drops from vapors, and the drop surface tension, are obtained as well. The stability conditions for the charged equilibrium drops are also examined.

 

Keywords: Nucleation, charged drops, critical supersaturation, boundary supersaturation, thermodynamics, W- potential

PACS: 82.60.N 

 

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