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2.7: Thermodynamic Potentials

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Thermodynamic systems may do work on their environments. Under certain constraints, the work done may be bounded from above by the change in an appropriately defined thermodynamic potential.

Energy E

Suppose we wish to create a thermodynamic system from scratch. Let’s imagine that we create it from scratch in a thermally insulated box of volume V. The work we must to to assemble the system is then W=E . After we bring all the constituent particles together, pulling them in from infinity (say), the system will have total energy E. After we finish, the system may not be in thermal equilibrium. Spontaneous processes will then occur so as to maximize the system’s entropy, but the internal energy remains at E.

We have, from the First Law, dE=\mathchar26dQ\mathchar26dW  and combining this with the Second Law in the form \mathchar26dQTdS yields dETdS\mathchar26dW. Rearranging terms, we have \mathchar26dWTdSdE . Hence, the work done by a thermodynamic system under conditions of constant entropy is bounded above by dE, and the maximum \mathchar26dW is achieved for a reversible process. It is sometimes useful to define the quantity \mathchar26dWfree=\mathchar26dWpdV , which is the differential work done by the system other than that required to change its volume. Then we have \mathchar26dWfreeTdSpdVdE, and we conclude for systems at fixed (S,V) that \mathchar26dWfreedE.

In equilibrium, the equality in Equation [dEeqn] holds, and for single component systems where \mathchar26dW=pdVμdN we have E=E(S,V,N) with T=(ES)V,N,p=(EV)S,N,μ=(EN)S,V. These expressions are easily generalized to multicomponent systems, magnetic systems,

Now consider a single component system at fixed (S,V,N). We conclude that dE0 , which says that spontaneous processes in a system with dS=dV=dN=0 always lead to a reduction in the internal energy E. Therefore, spontaneous processes drive the internal energy E to a minimum in systems at fixed (S,V,N).

Helmholtz free energy F

Suppose that when we spontaneously create our system while it is in constant contact with a thermal reservoir at temperature T. Then as we create our system, it will absorb heat from the reservoir. Therefore, we don’t have to supply the full internal energy E, but rather only EQ, since the system receives heat energy Q from the reservoir. In other words, we must perform work W=ETS to create our system, if it is constantly in equilibrium at temperature T. The quantity ETS is known as the Helmholtz free energy, F, which is related to the energy E by a Legendre transformation, F=ETS . The general properties of Legendre transformations are discussed in Appendix II, §16.

Again invoking the Second Law, we have dFSdT\mathchar26dW. Rearranging terms, we have \mathchar26dWSdTdF , which says that the work done by a thermodynamic system under conditions of constant temperature is bounded above by dF, and the maximum \mathchar26dW is achieved for a reversible process. We also have the general result \mathchar26dWfreeSdTpdVdF , and we conclude, for systems at fixed (T,V), that \mathchar26dWfreedF.

Under equilibrium conditions, the equality in Equation [dFeqn] holds, and for single component systems where \mathchar26dW=pdVμdN we have dF=SdTpdV+μdN . This says that F=F(T,V,N) with S=(FT)V,N,p=(FV)T,N,μ=(FN)T,V. For spontaneous processes, dFSdTpdV+μdN says that spontaneous processes drive the Helmholtz free energy F to a minimum in systems at fixed (T,V,N).

Enthalpy H

Suppose that when we spontaneously create our system while it is thermally insulated, but in constant mechanical contact with a ‘volume bath’ at pressure p. For example, we could create our system inside a thermally insulated chamber with one movable wall where the external pressure is fixed at p. Thus, when creating the system, in addition to the system’s internal energy E, we must also perform work pV in order to make room for it. In other words, we must perform work W=E+pV. The quantity E+pV is known as the enthalpy, H. (We use the calligraphic font for H for enthalpy to avoid confusing it with magnetic field, H.) The enthalpy is obtained from the energy via a different Legendre transformation than that used to obtain the Helmholtz free energy F , H=E+pV.

Again invoking the Second Law, we have dHTdS\mathchar26dW+pdV+Vdp, hence with \mathchar26dWfree=\mathchar26dWpdV, we have in general \mathchar26dWfreeTdS+VdpdH , and we conclude, for systems at fixed (S,p), that \mathchar26dWfreedH.

In equilibrium, for single component systems, dH=TdS+Vdp+μdN , which says H=H(S,p,N), with T=(HS)p,N,V=(Hp)S,N,μ=(HN)S,p. For spontaneous processes, dHTdS+Vdp+μdN, which says that spontaneous processes drive the enthalpy H to a minimum in systems at fixed (S,p,N).

Gibbs free energy G

If we create a thermodynamic system at conditions of constant temperature T and constant pressure p, then it absorbs heat energy Q=TS from the reservoir and we must expend work energy pV in order to make room for it. Thus, the total amount of work we must do in assembling our system is W=ETS+pV. This is the Gibbs free energy, G. The Gibbs free energy is obtained from E after two Legendre transformations, G=ETS+pV Note that G=F+pV=HTS. The Second Law says that dGSdT+Vdp+pdV\mathchar26dW, which we may rearrange as \mathchar26dWfreeSdT+VdpdG . Accordingly, we conclude, for systems at fixed (T,p), that \mathchar26dWfreedG.

For equilibrium one-component systems, the differential of G is dG=SdT+Vdp+μdN , therefore G=G(T,p,N), with S=(GT)p,N,V=(Gp)T,N,μ=(GN)T,p. Recall that Euler’s theorem for single component systems requires E=TSpV+μN  which says G=μN, Thus, the chemical potential μ is the Gibbs free energy per particle. For spontaneous processes, dGSdT+Vdp+μdN , hence spontaneous processes drive the Gibbs free energy G to a minimum in systems at fixed (T,p,N).

Grand potential Ω

The grand potential, sometimes called the Landau free energy, is defined by Ω=ETSμN . Under equilibrium conditions, its differential is dΩ=SdTpdVNdμ , hence S=(ΩT)V,μ,p=(ΩV)T,μ,N=(Ωμ)T,V . Again invoking Equation [ETS], we find Ω=pV, which says that the pressure is the negative of the grand potential per unit volume.

The Second Law tells us dΩ\mathchar26dWSdTμdNNdμ , hence \mathchar26d˜Wfree\mathchar26dWfree+μdNSdTpdVNdμdΩ . We conclude, for systems at fixed (T,V,μ), that \mathchar26d˜WfreedΩ.


This page titled 2.7: Thermodynamic Potentials is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Daniel Arovas.

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