Helmholtz entropy of ideal gas mixture is additive?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the additivity of the Helmholtz potential for mixtures of ideal gases, as presented in Callen's textbook. Participants explore the implications of this additivity and its comparison to other thermodynamic potentials, while also addressing related concepts such as partial molar properties and equations relevant to ideal gas mixtures.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant cites Callen's claim that the Helmholtz potential of a mixture of ideal gases is additive, questioning the validity of this claim and its implications for other thermodynamic potentials.
  • Another participant suggests that the discussion should focus on Gibbs theorem and the equations for partial properties in ideal gas mixtures, indicating a need for clarity on these concepts.
  • A later reply acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the term "Helmholtz entropy," clarifying that the discussion pertains to Helmholtz free energy instead.
  • Further contributions propose equations related to the partial molar properties of gas components, but some participants express uncertainty about their relevance to the original question.
  • One participant attempts to derive a specific form for the Helmholtz free energy of a gas component, indicating a complex relationship between the variables involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the additivity of the Helmholtz potential or its implications for other potentials. Multiple viewpoints and questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding the relevance of certain equations and concepts to the main topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of various thermodynamic potentials and their additivity. There are unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on specific assumptions regarding the ideal gas behavior.

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In his classic textbook, Callen remarks that
(1) The Helmholtz potential of a mixture of simple ideal gases is the sum of the Helmholtz potentials of each individual gas:$$ F(T,V,N_1, ... ,N_m)=F(T,V,N_1)+ ··· +F(T,V,N_m). $$
(2) An analogous additivity does not hold for any other potential expressed in terms of its natural variables.
I have labelled the claims (1) and (2). I am not sure about either. For the first, I have tried to proceed as follows (all equations are from Callen's second edition and all 0 subscripts are with respect to some reference state of an ideal gas):
We begin by noting that for a single component of the mixture (in the volume ##V## of the overall gas per the given formula in this problem) we have from (3.34) that
$$F_i(T,V,N_i) = U(T,V,N_i) - TS(T,V,N_i) $$
$$= c_iN_iRT -T\left(N_is_{i0} + c_iN_iR \ln (T/T_0) + N_iR \ln(V/V_0) - N_iR(c_i+1) \ln (N_i/N_0) \right)$$
Now for the mixture we have
$$F = U - TS $$
$$\stackrel{(1)}{\equiv} (\sum N_j c_j)RT - T\left( \sum N_js_{j0} + (\sum N_j c_j)R \ln (T/T_0) + (\sum N_j) R \ln(V/V_0) -R \sum N_j \ln(N_i/N)\right).$$
where (1) is from (3.39) and (3.40) (i.e. from the definition of ##F## that for a mixture of ideal gases (i.e. in the same vessel), we form ##U-TS## for ##U## and ##S## of the entire system).
I can't see how to go further in terms of identifying one with the other

But even supposing I can show that, what does claim (2) mean? Is Callen saying that there is no other thermodynamic potential (partial Legendre transform of the energy ##U##) which is such that this additivity holds in terms of natural variables? Obviously ##U = \sum N_jc_j RT## which is additive, but I guess this isn't a counter example since ##T## isn't a natural variable of ##U##?
 
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I think you mean Helmholtz free energy, not Helmholtz entropy.

I think it might help to consider the following questions:

What is Gibbs theorem for the partial molar properties of the components in an ideal gas mixture?

What is the equation for the partial pressure of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture in terms of Nj, R, T, and V.

What is the equation for the partial molar entropy of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture as a function of temperature and partial pressure?

What is the equation for the partial molar Helmholtz free energy of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture in terms of temperature and partial pressure?
 
Chestermiller said:
I think you mean Helmholtz free energy, not Helmholtz entropy.
Oy, yes I did mean Helmholtz (free) energy -- I've been thinking too much about the entropy because of another question I had clearly! If you do get the chance, that question is here. I've been very grateful for your insights on thermodynamics as I work through Callen, both now and in the past!

For these:
What is Gibbs theorem for the partial molar properties of the components in an ideal gas mixture?

What is the equation for the partial pressure of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture in terms of Nj, R, T, and V.

"The contribution to a property of a mixture of ideal gases is the sum of the properties that each component gas would have if it alone were to occupy the volume V at temperature T"
and
##P_i = N_iRT/V.##

I don't think either of these is relevant for this particular question though?

For these:
What is the equation for the partial molar entropy of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture as a function of temperature and partial pressure?

What is the equation for the partial molar Helmholtz free energy of a gas component in an ideal gas mixture in terms of temperature and partial pressure?
I believe I included the answer to both in my OP. Indeed, it seems like the problem I'm having is massaging a sum (on ##j##) over the first equation in my OP to be of the second equation's form, hence why I'm not sure if I'm making a mistake at the outset.
 
Maybe something like this: $$F_j((T,V,N_j)=N_ju_j(T_0,v_0)+N_jC_{v,j}(T-T_0)-$$$$T\left[N_js_j(T_0,v_0)+N_jC_{v,j}\ln{(T/T_0)}+N_jR\ln{\left(\frac{V}{N_jv_0}\right)}\right]$$where ##T_0## and ##v_0## are the temperature and molar volume in a reference state, and ##s_j## and ##u_j## are the molar entropy and molar internal energy of species j in the reference state. Then substitute $$\ln\left(\frac{V}{N_jv_0}\right)=\ln\left(\frac{V}{x_jNv_0}\right)=\ln\left(\frac{V}{Nv_0}\right)-\ln{x_j}$$
 
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