Phase Diagrams

The best way to discuss phase diagrams is to first look for the homogeneous and heterogeneous regions, then label the binodals and draw in some tie lines. Finally depict the invariant points and specify the processes that take place at these points. Ideal phase diagrams, whether melting or boiling phase diagrams, show neither maximum nor minimum for the binodals. Non-ideal mixtures may have maxima and minima, which are called azeotrope, peritectic, or eutectic, depending on the type of diagram. Gibbs’ phase triangle has proven to be useful for the illustration of 3-component mixtures. Again there may be binodals and tie lines in this diagram. A tie line not only tells us the composition of the phases in the heterogeneous region, but also—after applying the lever rule—their quantity ratio.

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