The discussion centers on calculating the temperature at which white tin converts to grey tin, a process known as "tin pest." Participants express uncertainty about the calculation method, suggesting that thermodynamic data alone may not suffice due to the metastability of white tin at certain temperatures. It is noted that while white tin is thermodynamically less stable than grey tin at lower temperatures, the conversion occurs very slowly, even at room temperature. A historical example is mentioned involving a pipe organ in Germany where tin pipes crumbled in cold weather. To approach the calculation, one suggested using Gibbs free energy to determine the temperature at which the conversion becomes spontaneous, indicating that a net free energy of zero signifies no overall reaction. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding both thermodynamic principles and the kinetics of the phase transition.
