Why must the Gibbs Free Energy be proportional to N?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of extensive variables and how they are defined. The textbook author, Daniel Schroeder, provides an example of a function, G, that is not extensive because it does not follow the definition of an extensive variable. The conversation also mentions that the intensive variables, such as temperature and pressure, do not change when scaling the "system size."
  • #1
aliens123
75
5
In the textbook Thermal Physics by Daniel Schroeder he says the following:
5.35.PNG


However, I don't follow this argument. Let's say that G was the following:
$$G(T, P, N) = (TPN)^{1/3}$$
Then
$$G(\lambda T, \lambda P, \lambda N) = \lambda G$$
So $$G$$ is extensive, but $$G \not \propto N.$$
 
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  • #2
aliens123 said:
Let's say that G was the following:
$$G(T, P, N) = (TPN)^{1/3}$$
Then
$$G(\lambda T, \lambda P, \lambda N) = \lambda G$$
So $$G$$ is extensive, but $$G \not \propto N.$$
In this example ##G## is not extensive since ##G(T,P,\lambda N)\ne \lambda G(T,P,N)##
 
  • #3
Dale said:
In this example ##G## is not extensive since ##G(T,P,\lambda N)\ne \lambda G(T,P,N)##
Isn't the definition of extensive
$$Q(\lambda q_1, \lambda q_2, ..., \lambda q_n ) = \lambda Q(q_1, q_2, ..., q_n)?$$
 
  • #4
aliens123 said:
Isn't the definition of extensive
$$Q(\lambda q_1, \lambda q_2, ..., \lambda q_n ) = \lambda Q(q_1, q_2, ..., q_n)?$$
The ##q_i## need to be extensive here. You are looking at ##P## and ##T## which are intensive. If you double the amount of stuff, temperature and pressure don't double. Have a look at the rabbits on the page before the excerpt you used in the OP.
 
  • Like
Likes Dale
  • #5
No, you have to multiply only the extensive variables with ##\lambda##. The intensive variables don't change when scaling the "system size". That's the definition of extensive vs. intensive variables.
 

1. Why is Gibbs Free Energy important in thermodynamics?

The Gibbs Free Energy is important in thermodynamics because it is a measure of the amount of energy available to do useful work in a system. It takes into account both the enthalpy and entropy of a system, making it a more comprehensive measure of a system's energy than just enthalpy or entropy alone.

2. How is Gibbs Free Energy related to the number of particles in a system?

The Gibbs Free Energy is directly proportional to the number of particles in a system. This means that as the number of particles increases, the Gibbs Free Energy also increases. This relationship is due to the fact that as the number of particles increases, so does the entropy of the system, leading to a higher value of Gibbs Free Energy.

3. Why must the Gibbs Free Energy be proportional to N?

The Gibbs Free Energy must be proportional to N because it is a measure of the energy available to do work in a system, and the number of particles in a system directly affects the available energy. This relationship is a fundamental principle in thermodynamics and is supported by experimental evidence.

4. Can the Gibbs Free Energy be negative?

Yes, the Gibbs Free Energy can be negative. A negative value for Gibbs Free Energy indicates that the system is in a state of spontaneous change, meaning it is undergoing a process that releases energy. This is often seen in exothermic reactions, where the products have lower energy than the reactants.

5. How is the Gibbs Free Energy related to equilibrium?

The Gibbs Free Energy is a measure of a system's tendency to undergo a spontaneous change. At equilibrium, the Gibbs Free Energy is at its minimum value, indicating that the system has reached a state of balance where no further changes will occur. This is known as the minimum energy principle and is a key concept in understanding chemical and physical equilibrium.

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