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American Journal of Physics -- April 2001 -- Volume 69, Issue 4, pp. 423

The elusive chemical potential

Ralph Baierlein

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010

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This paper offers some qualitative understanding of the chemical potential, a topic that students invariably find difficult. Three “meanings” for the chemical potential are stated and then supported by analytical development. Two substantial applications—depression of the melting point and batteries—illustrate the chemical potential in action. The origin of the term “chemical potential” has its surprises, and a sketch of the history concludes the paper. © 2001 American Association of Physics Teachers.

© 2001 American Association of Physics Teachers

KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords

chemical potential, teaching

PACS

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History
Received Apr 2000
Accepted Oct 2000

PUBLICATION DATA

ISSN

0002-9505 (print)  

Publisher

$abstract.society.value is a Member of CrossRef American Association of Physics Teachers

ARTICLE DATA

Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.1336839

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