Thermodynamics: Microscopic and Macroscopic Aspects

Thermodynamics: Microscopic and Macroscopic Aspects

Thermodynamics is the tool of choice for studying matter on a macroscopic scale. In particular, when it comes to chemical reactions, it allows us to predict the direction in which they proceed and their equilibrium state. In the early years of the bachelor’s program, the focus is on describing the principles of thermodynamics and their direct application to chemistry in the case of simple, single-phase equilibrium reactions or reactions between homogeneous phases. This course will expand on this knowledge in two directions.

First, we will generalize this macroscopic thermodynamic descriptive framework to more complex systems, such as interfacial systems where surface tension plays a role, or non-uniform phases where the composition is not the same everywhere due to an external field. We will also study phase transitions and equilibrium displacements.

Next, we will examine the connection to the microscopic world, where matter is described at the atomic scale. We will show that the evolution predicted by thermodynamics is statistical in nature, with the equilibrium state corresponding to the most probable macroscopic state given the constraints imposed on the system. This will allow us to deduce the macroscopic thermodynamic properties of a physicochemical system from its microscopic description.

Be able to describe the chemical reaction using a set of relevant macroscopic parameters

Using Standard Thermodynamic Data to Predict the Behavior of Simple Systems

Application to Interfaces and Inhomogeneous Media

Understand the laws of moderation and know how to apply them to chemical reactions

Understanding phase equilibria and being able to predict the associated macroscopic laws

Understand the practical, physical meaning of temperature, pressure, and chemical potential

Understanding the Microscopic Interpretation of the Fundamental Principle

Be able to calculate thermodynamic quantities for simple systems using a microscopic analysis based on the canonical or microcanonical ensemble

Use these microscopic thermodynamic parameters (Boltzmann factor, state density, etc.) to predict the experimental fluctuations of a system.

Students enrolled in this module must have previously taken the following courses: L2 Chemistry or an equivalent course

Terminal Control

Law of Mass Action, Affinity, Chemical Potential and Electrochemical Potential, Entropy of the Universe, Le Châtelier’s Principle, Variance, Statistical Thermodynamics, Mean Value, and Most Likely Value