Question about the 0th law of thermodynamics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the 0th law of thermodynamics and its implications for equilibrium among three systems, A, B, and C. Participants explore the conditions under which equilibrium can be established and the relationships between thermodynamic coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a scenario involving three systems and questions why the equality of functions describing equilibrium between A and C and B and C implies equilibrium between A and B.
  • Another participant suggests that the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature (PV proportional to T) indicates that the systems share the same temperature.
  • A different participant clarifies that their inquiry pertains to general systems, not just ideal gases, and mentions alternative combinations of thermodynamic variables.
  • A later reply references a specific text that may provide a persuasive representation related to the question posed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the 0th law and the nature of equilibrium, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential ambiguities in the definitions of thermodynamic coordinates and the assumptions underlying the relationships between the systems.

QuasarBoy543298
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assume I have 3 systems a,b and c.
the equilibrium between a and c can be described by the equality PcVc = f(A1,..., An)
and the same for b and c - PcVc = g(B1,...,Bk).
why does the equality g(B1,..., Bk) = f(A1,..., An) describes an equilibrium between A and B?
the 0th law states that if A and B are in equilibrium with c **for the same value of the thermodynamics coordinates of C**
then they are in equilibrium with each other, but I can find different pairs of Pc and Vc that will result in the same value of PcVc.
 
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Isn’t PV proportional to T? So this just describes three systems with the same temperature.
 
I'm not talking about ideal gas but on general systems.
you can take another combination as well, such as PN, and the question stays the same.
 
A persuasive representation which – to my mind – addresses your question can be found in “The Principles of Chemical Equilibrium“ (see pages 9-13) by Kenneth Denbigh.
https://archive.org/details/ThePrinciplesOfChemicalEquilibrium/page/n30
 

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