Thermodynamics - micro and macroscopic aspects

Thermodynamics: micro and macroscopic aspects

Thermodynamics is the tool of choice for studying matter on a macroscopic scale. In particular, in the case of chemical reactions, it enables us to predict the direction of their evolution and their state of equilibrium. In the first years of the bachelor's degree, we focus 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 teaching unit will extend this knowledge in two directions.

First, we'll generalize this macroscopic thermodynamic 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. Equilibrium breaks and displacements will also be studied.

Next, we'll look at the link with the microscopic world, where matter is described at the atomic scale. We'll 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 applied to the system. This will enable us to deduce the macroscopic thermodynamic properties of a physico-chemical system from its microscopic description.

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

Using standard thermodynamic data to predict the evolution of simple systems

Application to interfaces and inhomogeneous media

Know the laws of moderation and apply them to chemical reactions

Understand phase equilibria and predict the associated macroscopic laws

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

Understanding the microscopic interpretation of the fundamental principle

Calculate thermodynamic quantities for simple systems using microscopic analysis based on the canonical or microcanonical set.

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

Students enrolled in this module must have previously taken : L2 Chemistry or equivalent

Final inspection

Law of Mass Action, affinity, chemical potential and electrochemical potential, entropy of the universe, le Châtelier's laws, variance, statistical thermodynamics, mean value and most probable value