Water Phase Diagram: Mathematically Modeling and Validating

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mathematical modeling of water phase diagrams, particularly the solid-liquid boundary. Participants question the validity of treating the enthalpy change (ΔH) and molar volume change (ΔV_m) as constants when using the Clapeyron equation, which yields a logarithmic relationship rather than a linear one. They highlight that the steep slope observed in phase diagrams is due to low pressure conditions and suggest that local approximations may lead to linear appearances. Additionally, the presence of non-linear features at high pressures raises further questions about the accuracy of standard models.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Clapeyron equation and its application in phase transitions.
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic concepts such as enthalpy (ΔH) and molar volume (ΔV_m).
  • Basic knowledge of phase diagrams and their interpretation.
  • Experience with logarithmic functions and their graphical representations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced thermodynamics focusing on non-ideal behavior in phase transitions.
  • Study the implications of variable ΔH and ΔV_m in phase diagrams.
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of phase boundaries under varying pressure conditions.
  • Learn about the graphical interpretation of phase diagrams and the significance of curvature in phase boundaries.
USEFUL FOR

Researchers, physicists, and chemists involved in thermodynamics, as well as students studying phase transitions and material properties, will benefit from this discussion.

DLawless
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I notice that water phase diagrams provided online always seem to show a rather linear behaviour for the solid-liquid boundary (and an extremely steep slope).

How is this modeled mathematically? Say we use the Clapeyron equation with ΔH and ΔV_m being constant, as online example problems (meant for students) do. Integration with this yields a ln(T2/T1) for example--not the equation of a straight line. So where does the almost straight line, which suggests that P=kT for some very large negative k, come from? And how valid is it really to model ΔH and ΔV_m as constant, if this doesn't produce a line that looks much like the diagrams show?
 
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It is not linear. Here is a phase diagram: It's complicated.
DLawless said:
Integration with this yields a ln(T2/T1) for example
For what, and what are T1 and T2?

The line is so steep because both a few hundred kPa is a low pressure in the context of water and ice. You see larger deviations at tens of MPa.
 
Many other diagrams show a line, e.g. https://uh.edu/~jbutler/physical/chapter6notes.html, https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/schwartz/files/9-phases.pdf. I saw the diagram you mentioned too.

I would like to know the mathematical model that leads to either of these. It doesn't appear to be constant ΔH and ΔV_m since neither the shape in the diagram you linked, nor a straight line, corresponds well to

$$P = P_0 + \frac{\Delta H}{\Delta V_m} \rm{ln} \frac{T}{T_0}$$

which is the result from integrating Clapeyron equation. (T0,P0) can be any known point, e.g. (273.15 K, 1 atm) for water solidus

Yet all the problems/examples one finds online seems to treat ΔH and ΔV_m as constant. If it is valid to do so I would like to know how the boundary can have the shape we see on the diagrams.
 
mfb said:
Locally (if T/T0 doesn't deviate too much from 1) a logarithm looks like a straight line.

Good point! That may explain the linear shape.

What about the non-linear curved bits at high pressure (that you can see on the diagram you linked originally, or the one here https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/schwartz/files/9-phases.pdf on p4)? They don't necessarily appear to follow the equation I gave...

Edit: actually it looks like there might be a cusp and another independent solidus?
 
The ##\Delta V## is tiny, and that accounts for the huge slope.
 

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