Abstract
The special contribution of matter lying in and around phase boundaries to the total energy of heterogeneous systems is normally ignored in thermodynamic treatises. This neglect implies that the density of energy of a given phase remains uniform up to a mathematical surface separating it from contiguous phases. However, because of the finite, although short, range of action of atomic forces, the assumed sharp phase boundaries should actually be replaced by an interphasal region of finite thickness across which the density of energy or of any other thermodynamic property changes much less abruptly. It is reasonable to expect the normal thickness of this transition region to be of the order of a few molecular diameters ; unless the system has a relatively high surface to volume ratio, as would be the case in colloidal systems, the additional contribution of the “surface” atoms to the total energy content may justifiably be ignored.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
J. D. van der Waals, Verhandel. Koninkl. Ned. Akad. Wetenschap. Afdel. Natuurk. Sect. I (1893).
G. Bakker, in: Handbuch der Experimentalphysik, Vol. 6, W. Wien and F. Harms (eds.), Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft (Leipzig), 1928, Chapter 15.
J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, J. Chem. Phys. 28: 258 (1958).
J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, J. Chem. Phys. 31: 688 (1959).
E. W. Hart, Phys. Rev. 113: 412 (1959)
E. W. Hart J. Chem. Phys. 39: 3075 (1963)
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, pp. 219–331.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 219.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 234.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 223.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 266.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 253.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 254.
J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. I, Yale University Press (New Haven, Connecticut), 1948, p. 300.
E. A. Guggenheim, Trans. Faraday Soc. 36: 397 (1940).
S. Ono and S. Kondo, in: Encyclopedia of Physics, Vol. X, S. Flügge (ed.), Springer-Verlag (Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg), 1960, p. 144.
I. Langmuir, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 39: 1848 (1917).
See also N. K. Adam, The Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces, Oxford University Press (London), 1941.
W. D. Harkins, The Physical Chemistry of Surface Films, Reinhold Publishing Corp. (New York), 1952.
C. Herring, in: Structure and Properties of Solid Surfaces, R. Gomer and C. S. Smith (eds.), University of Chicago Press (Chicago), 1953, Chapter I.
W. W. Mullins, in: Metal Surfaces, American Society for Metals, 1963, Chapter 2.
N. Cabrera, Surface Science 2: 320 (1964).
J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, Acta Met. 7: 221 (1959).
R. S. Hansen, J. Phys. Chem. 66: 410 (1962).
C. Herring, Phys. Rev. 82: 87 (1951).
S. Ono and S. Kondo, op. cit., p. 152.
R. Shuttleworth, Proc. Phys. Soc. (London) A63: 444 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1966 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this paper
Cite this paper
de Bruyn, P.L. (1966). Some Aspects of Classical Surface Thermodynamics. In: Bonis, L.J., de Bruyn, P.L., Duga, J.J. (eds) Surface Phenomena. Fundamental Phenomena in the Materials Sciences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6347-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6347-5_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-6173-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6347-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive