Another "Partial Derivatives in Thermodynamics" Question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding the use of partial derivatives in thermodynamics, specifically in relation to an equation from Pathria's book. The equation expresses pressure in terms of entropy derivatives and involves the application of the triple product rule for partial derivatives. Participants clarify how the equality is derived from the differential form of energy and the conditions set for entropy and particle number. The key takeaway is the relationship between the derivatives and the significance of the subscripts in the context of thermodynamic variables. This highlights the importance of grasping partial derivative properties in thermodynamic equations.
conservedcharge
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Hi all,

It seems I haven't completely grasped the use of Partial Derivatives in general; I have seen many discussions here dealing broadly with the same topic, but can't find the answer to my doubt. So, any help would be most welcome:

In Pathria's book (3rd ed.), equation (1.3.11) says:
P = \frac{\left( \frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right )_{N,E} } {\left (\frac{ \partial S}{\partial E} \right)_{N,V}} = - \left( \frac{\partial E}{\partial V} \right)_{N,S}
My question is 2 fold:

1. How is he writing the first equality in the above equation?
2. What properties of partial derivatives are being used here to figure out the correct subscripts on the extreme right in the equation, given the subscripts in \frac{\left( \frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right )_{N,E} } {\left (\frac{ \partial S}{\partial E} \right)_{N,V}}?
 
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conservedcharge said:
1. How is he writing the first equality in the above equation?
2. What properties of partial derivatives are being used here to figure out the correct subscripts on the extreme right in the equation, given the subscripts in \frac{\left( \frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right )_{N,E} } {\left (\frac{ \partial S}{\partial E} \right)_{N,V}}?
He's using the triple product rule
\left(\frac{\partial x}{\partial y}\right)_{z} \left(\frac{\partial y}{\partial z}\right)_{x} \left(\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}\right)_{y} = -1
 
The equality ##P = - \left( \frac{\partial E}{\partial V} \right)_{N,S} ## comes from ##dE = TdS-PdV+\mu dN## by setting dS and dN equal to zero.

The equality ## \frac{\left( \frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right )_{N,E} } {\left (\frac{ \partial S}{\partial E} \right)_{N,V}} = - \left( \frac{\partial E}{\partial V} \right)_{N,S} ## comes from
$$dS=\left(\frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right)_{E,N}dV+\left(\frac{\partial S}{\partial E}\right)_{V,N}dE+\left(\frac{\partial S}{\partial N}\right)_{E,V}dN$$ by setting dN and dS equal to zero.
 
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Fightfish said:
He's using the triple product rule
\left(\frac{\partial x}{\partial y}\right)_{z} \left(\frac{\partial y}{\partial z}\right)_{x} \left(\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}\right)_{y} = -1
Thanks @Fightfish , that helps.
 
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