Question

What is the application of phase rule to one component water system? Explain with the help of diagram.

Answer 1

Phase rule helps to study different equilibria and classify them accordingly. It indicates behaviour of the system under a particular set of conditions. Different systems with the same degree of freedom behave in a similar manner. Helps to find out under a set of conditions whether all substances involved in an equilibrium can exist or a particular phases ceases to exist or whether any transformation has taken place.

One component svstem with the phase diagram.
In water there is only one component i.e., water and its three phases: ice, water, steam which are solid, liquid, and gaseous respectively. Figure below represents phase diagram or pressure vis temperature diagram for the water system. Three curves OA, OB, and OC represents the equilibrium conditions between two phases solid with vapour, vapour with liquid and liquid with solid phase of water.

Curve OC represents the equilibrium between solid and liquid phase of the water. This curve is known as fusion pressure or melting point curve. Along this curve there are two phases in equilibrium that is ice and water. At atmospheric pressure, ice and water can be in equilibrium only at one temperature i.e., the freezing point of water.

We have C=1, P=2 thus,
F=C-P+2=1.

Curve OB represents the equilibrium between liquid and vapour. It is known as vaporization curve. Here also it is necessary to state either temperature or pressure. Eg., at atmospheric pressure, water and vapour can exist in equilibrium only at 1 temperature i.e., the boiling point of water. Watervapour system has one degree of freedom F=C-P+2=1.