Chemical Potential: Definition and Mathematical Representation

Definition:
Chemical potential (μ\muμ) is the measure of the change in the free energy of a system when an additional particle is introduced, while keeping temperature, pressure, and other particles constant. It determines the direction of mass transfer in a system and plays a crucial role in phase equilibrium, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics.

Mathematical Representation:
The chemical potential is mathematically expressed as:μ=(∂G∂n)T,P\mu = \left( \frac{\partial G}{\partial n} \right)_{T, P}μ=(∂n∂G​)T,P​

where:

  • GGG is the Gibbs free energy,
  • nnn is the number of particles (or moles) of the substance,
  • TTT is the temperature,
  • PPP is the pressure.

Alternatively, in terms of Helmholtz free energy (FFF):μ=(∂F∂n)T,V\mu = \left( \frac{\partial F}{\partial n} \right)_{T, V}μ=(∂n∂F​)T,V​

where:

  • FFF is the Helmholtz free energy,
  • VVV is the volume.

In an ideal gas, the chemical potential is given by:μ=μ0+RTln⁡PP0\mu = \mu^0 + RT \ln \frac{P}{P^0}μ=μ0+RTlnP0P​

where:

  • μ0\mu^0μ0 is the standard chemical potential,
  • RRR is the universal gas constant,
  • TTT is the temperature in Kelvin,
  • PPP is the partial pressure of the gas,
  • P0P^0P0 is the reference pressure.

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