Question 12.10.2: Apply the Gibbs equilibrium phase rule to the reduction of c...

Apply the Gibbs equilibrium phase rule to the reduction of cupric oxide by ammonia and determine the number of degrees of freedom that exist for the reaction.

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3CuO_{(s)}+2NH_{3_{(g)}}=3Cu_{(s)}+3H_2O_{(g)}+N_{2(g)}

We use the equation

Φ + F = (C – r) + 2

Where:
Φ  is the number of phases in equilibrium
F  is the thermodynamic degrees of freedom
C  is the number of components
r  is the number of chemical reactions needed to specify equilibrium
2  accounts for the intensive variables pressure and temperature

For this case:
r   = 1
Φ   = 3 (2 solids and one gaseous)
3 + F   = (5 – 1) + 2 or F = 3

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