PHYSICS ESSAYS 26, 4 (2013)
Latent heat and critical temperature: A unique perspective
Kent W. Mayhewa)
68 Pineglen Cres., Ottawa, Ontario K2G 0G8, Canada
(Received 12 January 2011; accepted 14 October 2013; published online 30 December 2013)
Abstract: We are going to introduce the concept of “kinematic numbers” and their application to
the probability function. We shall then see how this may help explain both the latent heat of
vaporization and the critical temperature. Moreover, our intuitive approach allows us to understand
both phenomena based upon kinetic theory, and the Boltzmann factor. We shall also discuss the
limitations of Avogadro’s hypothesis, and show a unique interpretation for the Clausius–Clapeyron
C 2013 Physics Essays Publication. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4006/0836-1398-26.4.604]
equation. V
Résumé: Nous allons introduire la notion de “nombres cinématiques” et leur application à la
fonction de probabilité. Nous verrons alors comment cela peut aider à expliquer la chaleur latente
de vaporisation, et la température critique. En outre, notre approche intuitive nous permet de
comprendre les deux phénomènes fondée sur la théorie cinétique, et le facteur de Boltzmann. Nous
allons également discuter des limites de l’hypothèse d’Avogadro, et montrer une interprétation
unique de l’équation de Clausius–Clapeyron.
Key words: Latent Heat of Vaporization; Boiling Temperature; Critical Temperature; Kinematic Numbers; Probability;
Avogadro’s Hypothesis.
to Laplace Theory, that one-half of the latent heat must be
equal to the molar surface energy.” They go on to argue that
the surface energy should be proportional to: V3/2. Agrawal
and Menon3 perform a quantitative analysis by adding a surface energy term, which differs from previous values, to the
work required for vaporization. The problem with such an
analysis is that surface energy is ambiguous, unless it is the
energy associated with a tensile surface, which is a function
of surface area.4 In which case, we must accept that a flat
tensile layer’s surface area does not necessarily change during vaporization. It is obvious that the reasoning and value
of the surface energy lacks consensus. Interestingly, Garai1
has slightly modified the surface energy argument into one
wherein the vaporizing molecule must overcome the surface
resistance.
Consider a molecule in condensed matter, which is in
thermal equilibrium. The discrete probability of that molecule being in a given state of energy (E) is5
I. INTRODUCTION
The latent heat (L) of vaporization is: “the energy that
has to be supplied to the system in order to complete the
liquid–vapor phase transformation.”1 It is traditionally envisioned in terms of an isothermal, isobaric, process wherein
the absorbed energy increases the system’s internal energy
(U) and performs work (W),1 and is often referred to as the
enthalpy of vaporization (DH). Letting the subscripts “l” and
“g,” respectively, indicate the liquid and gas/vapor state, and
using the “arrow” to indicate direction, we shall write the
latent heat of vaporization as: Lðl!gÞ : In which case, the traditional interpretation would be written in the following
form:
Lðl!gÞ ¼ dU þ W:
(1)
The traditional interpretation for work is one of isobaric volume change, i.e., W ¼ PgdVg, hence Eq. (1) becomes
Lðl!gÞ ¼ dU þ PgdVg:
P0 ðEÞ ¼ BebE ;
(2)
where B is a normalization constant, ebE is the Boltzmann
factor, b ¼ 1=ðkTÞ, k is Boltzmann’s constant, and T is the
absolute temperature. We also used an apostrophe and subscript “(E)”to indicate that we are dealing with a probability.
Frisch and Salsburg (Ref. 6, p. 263) concerning the
Boltzmann factor state: “All assumptions required to effect
derivation, are basically three in number: the truncation of
interactions of higher order than binary collisions, the condition of molecular chaos…, and slow secular variation…”
They then go on to discuss all three concerning gases, but
fail to discuss higher order than binary collision in
condensed states. Green7 does discuss the prospect of triple
Although Eq. (1), and/or Eq. (2), are used on a daily basis,
there remains a lack of consensus as to the exact reasoning
behind the latent heat of vaporization, with many researchers
believing that the surface energy play a significant role.1
Newman and Searle (Ref. 2, p. 209) state that “the internal
latent heat of a liquid is, presumably, a measure of the work
done against the internal pressure; and that done by the
molecules in reaching the surface—i.e., half-way from the
interior to outside—is measured by the potential energy
acquired as surface energy. From this it is argued, according
a)
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(3)
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collision for gases, however, he fails to break it down into its
simplest construct. A main issue concerning this paper is the
fact that the Boltzmann factor is limited to energy exchange
during binary collisions in the liquid state.
In the gaseous/vaporous state, the kinetic energy (Ek) of
which is based upon
a monatomic molecule is5,8 3kT=2,
equipartition theory, i.e., the mean kinetic energy being
exchanged along each of the three orthogonal axis is kT=2.
In a liquid state, the vibrational energy of a molecules is:5,8
which is based upon the same fundamental principles,
3kT,
except in the liquid state,9 each molecule is bonded to its
neighboring molecules, therefore, there exists both kinetic,
and potential, energy. Thus, the total mean energy, accessi
ble along each orthogonal axis becomes kT.
The vaporization rate [Jðl!gÞ ] is traditionally written in
the following form:
Jðl!gÞ ¼ Jn exp½blðl!gÞ ;
(4)
wherein Jn is the normalization constant, or if you prefer:
Jn ¼ NC, which is in terms of the normalization factor (N)
and the concentration (C).
Mayhew10 has argued that if one compares the energy of
gas with its ability to perform work, then one attains a maximum possible efficiency factor of: 2/3, i.e., 66.67%. This can
be understood by performing a reversal of the way we calculate the energy associated with a gas, in kinetic theory,8 i.e.,
by starting off with the kinetic energy of a gas and then
reversing the classical analysis until we arrive at the ability
of a gas to do work.
The critical temperature is the temperature above
which molecules can no longer exist in a liquid state, irrelevant of the pressure. Currently, there is no classical explanation for this. Frisch and Salsburg (Ref. 6, p. 13) states:
“All thermodynamic functions have singularities at the critical point… the exact nature of the singularities have been
the subject of much careful and difficult experiment but
are still imperfectly known.” Contemporary theories
generally are statistically based upon particle interactions11
with concentrated efforts being placed upon Bose gases,
wherein numerous techniques and conclusions are postulated.12 The theory of Bose–Einstein Condensation (BEC)
is based upon Einstein’s prediction concerning boson gas
undergoing phase transition at low temperature, wherein
the thermal de Broglie wavelength is greater than the mean
particle spacing.13 Anderson et al.14 have found BEC can
exist in dilute vapors. Interestingly, BEC may help explain
why low temperature gases do not necessarily obey kinetic
theory.
This paper is part of an ongoing attempt by this author,
to demonstrate that a different classical thermodynamic perspective exists, of which he has written a yet to be published
book. As such, a goal herein is to demonstrate an explanation
for both the latent heat of vaporization and critical temperature. We shall also briefly discuss the limitations of Avogadro’s hypothesis, which states: “Equal volumes of different
gases at the same temperature and pressure contain an equal
number of molecules.”15
II. ISSUE OF PROBABILITY
Consider that in order for a liquid molecule to vaporize,
it must extract the latent heat from one of its neighboring
molecules. If we write the energy required per molecule for
vaporization, as lðl!gÞ ¼ Lðl!gÞ =ð6:02 1023 Þ, then based
upon Eq. (3), the probability of the a given molecule extracting the required energy from one of its neighboring molecules is
P0 ðvÞ ¼ Be½blðl!gÞ ;
(5)
where B is a normalization constant, and the subscript “(v)”
indicates vaporization.
What applies to a solitary molecule equally applies to a
mole of molecules. Therefore, there is no transgression if we
multiply both the numerator and denominator in exponential
of Eq. (5) by Avogadro’s number. Thus, transforming
Eq. (5) into the probability on a per mole basis, i.e., Eq. (5)
becomes
P0ðvÞ ¼ BeðDH=RTÞ ;
(6)
where DH is the molar enthalpy of vaporization, R is the
molar ideal gas constant.
An issue confounding the application of either: Eq. (6)
or Eq. (5) is that the latent heat of vaporization is significantly greater than the mean thermal energy exchanged at
the liquid’s boiling temperature, i.e., Lðl!gÞ RTb , where Tb
is the liquid’s boiling temperature. For example: At 1 atm
pressure the boiling point of water is 373 K. The molar latent
heat of vaporization [Lðl!gÞ ] for water is 40.65 KJ/mol at
298 K. Therefore, Lðl!gÞ =RTb ¼ (40,650 J)/[8.31 (J/mol K)]
[373 (K)] ¼ 13.1. In order for Lðl!gÞ RTb , the water’s temperature would need to be of the order of 4900 K.
The above issue is traditionally disregarded by realizing
that the normalization constant (B) allow us to normalize the
probability. Specifically B is calculated and/or plotted,
allowing Eq. (6) to be used in experimentation. Although
widely accepted, this may have grave consequences, i.e.,
even if eðDH=RTÞ in Eq. (6) is incorrect, the normalization
process still allows one to create a plot that often correlates/
approximates with one’s empirical data. It is a scary unheralded notion!!
Moreover, it is hard to fathom that the energy required
for vaporization is so much greater than the thermal energy
associated with any one molecule. Accordingly, it is hard to
explain why when blðl!gÞ ! 13:1 that water boils. Why not
some other number, i.e., 7.6, 12.5, 1000, etc. Although not
definitive, this should at least make you ponder.
III. KINEMATIC NUMBERS AND THE LATENT
HEAT OF VAPORIZATION AT Tb
The molar latent heat of vaporization, and boiling temperature, for noble elements is given in the top of Table I.
We start by determining the ratio of the energy required for a
mole of noble molecules to vaporize, versus the mean
amount of energy contained in a mol of molecules, at the
liquid’s boiling point,
606
TABLE I.
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
Values for boiling temperature and experimental molar latent heat.
Atomic
number
Element
Latent heat of
vaporization (kJ/mol)
Tb
(degrees, K)
RTb
(kJ/mol)
Ratio: (latent
heat)/RTb
Tc
(degrees, K)
RTc
(kJ/mol)
Ratio:
(latent heat)/RTc
2
10
18
36
54
86
He
Ne
Ar
Kr
Xe
Rn
0.08
1.73
6.44
9.03
12.64
16.40
4.2
27.1
87.3
119.4
167
211
0.03
0.23
0.73
0.99
1.39
1.75
2.3
7.7
8.9
9.1
9.1
9.4
5.19
44.4
150.9
209.4
289.8
377
0.04
0.37
1.25
1.74
2.41
3.13
1.9
4.7
5.1
5.2
5.2
5.2
3
11
19
39
55
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
145.9
97.0
79.9
72.2
67.7
1620
1156
1047
961
951
13.46
9.61
8.70
7.99
7.90
10.8
10.1
9.2
9.0
8.6
26.78
21.38
18.47
17.39
16.10
5.4b
4.4b
4.3b
4.2b
4.2b
2
12
20
38
56
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba
127.4
153.6
144.0
140.3
1380
1757
1656
1913
11.47
14.60
13.76
15.90
11.1
10.5
10.5
8.8
NA
NA
NA
NA
3
21
39
57
Sc
Y
La
332.7
365.0
402.1
3109
3618
3737
25.84
30.07
31.05
12.9
12.1
12.9
NA
NA
NA
4
40
Zr
573.0
4650
38.64
14.8
NA
5
41
73
Nb
Ta
682.0
743.0
5200
5698
43.21
47.35
15.8
15.7
NA
NA
6
74
W
824.0
5933
49.30
16.7
NA
7
75
Re
715.0
5900
49.03
14.6
NA
9
77
Ir
604.0
4800
39.89
15.1
NA
11
29
47
79
Cu
Ag
Au
300.4
258.0
324.0
2840
2485
3129
23.60
20.65
26.00
12.7
12.5
12.5
NA
NA
NA
12
80
Hg
59.2
630
5.24
11.3
14.54
4.1
13
13
49
81
Al
In
Tl
293.0
231.8
164.0
2740
2273
1730
22.77
18.89
14.38
12.9
12.3
11.4
NA
NA
NA
14
14
32
50
82
Si
Ge
Sn
Pb
359.0
334.0
295.8
177.7
3538
3106
2543
2013
29.40
25.81
21.13
16.73
12.2
12.9
14.0
10.6
NA
NA
NA
NA
15
83
Bi
104.8
1833
15.23
6.9
NA
L
58
59
60
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
70
71
Ce
Pr
Nd
Sm
Eu
Gd
Tb
Dy
Ho
Er
Yb
Lu
398.0
331.0
289.0
165.0
176.0
301.3
293.0
280.0
265.0
280.0
159.0
414.0
3716
3793
3347
2067
1802
3546
3503
2840
2973
3141
1469
3675
30.88
31.52
27.81
17.18
14.97
29.47
29.11
23.60
24.71
26.10
12.21
30.54
12.9
10.5
10.4
9.6
11.8
10.2
10.1
11.9
10.7
10.7
13.0
13.6
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Group
Noble gases
18a
Noble
(approximateideal gas)
Non-noble gases
1
a
From Ref. 1.
Exceptions are the anoble gases and bcritical temperatures, whose values are from Wolfram Research.18
b
3223
2573
2223
2093
1938
1750
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
Lðl!gÞ =RTb :
607
(7)
Ex. calculation for a mole of Kr: Ratio ¼ 9029 (J/mol)/
[{8.31(J/mol K)}{119.4 (K)}] ¼ 9.1. Performing the same
calculations, we find that the ratio value of 9 correlates fairly
well, for Ar, Kr, and Xe, as is shown in Table I. Now consider “9” as being “the kinematic number for the latent heat
of vaporization”. Interestingly, 9 does not correlate particularly well for the two smallest noble gases, those being He
and Ne. We shall give a brief plausible explanation for this,
after we discuss the critical temperature.
Let us reexamine the logic of Eq. (3), hence Eq. (6).
Namely, does it make sense to limit our consideration to, the
discrete energy that a molecule can attain from a single
neighbor? Certainly, a given liquid molecule has six neighbors, with whom it is bonded. Since liquid molecules vibrate
1013 times a second, then the odds of all six neighbors colliding/interacting with a vaporizing molecule, over a short duration, should have a reasonable likelihood of occurrence.
Consider that all six neighboring molecules collide/interact
with the vaporizing molecule at some instant, and each pro If one accepts this, then the disvides a mean energy of kT.
crete energy required from any one neighboring molecule
would be lðl!gÞ =6, hence we could rewrite Eq. (5), as
P0ðvÞ ¼ Be½blðl!gÞ=6 :
(8)
Is Eq. (8) suffice? Well the ratio for noble elements was 9,
not 6. Therefore, the preferred probability for a noble liquid
molecule vaporizing might be
P0ðvÞ ¼ Be½blðl!gÞ=9 :
(9)
In order to explain Eq. (9) we need to determine a plausible
path of which there are many, so this author is going to discuss just a few. Consider the vaporization of molecule #6 in
Fig. 1, at Tb . At some instant, it could access a mean energy
of kTb from each of molecules #2,5,10, 7, as well as the two
molecules perpendicular to the page that are not shown. Consider that the vaporizing molecule has a mean energy of
3kTb , then an at first glance an eloquent solution is
6kTb þ 3kTb ¼ 9kTb . What remains problematic is that molecule #6 must possess a mean kinetic energy of 3kTb =2, after
vaporization when in the gaseous state. Hence, the logic of
simply adding the mean energy of molecule #6 to the accessible energy from its six neighbors remains awkward, unless
a path is expressed.
Perhaps, the vaporizing molecule cannot contribute
3kTb . Specifically, the potential energy exists due to the
bond between the vaporizing molecule and its neighbors!
Therefore, if we associate this potential energy with its
neighbors then all the vaporizing molecule can possibly
contribute is its kinetic energy, i.e., 3kTb =2. Does this
mean that the energy to break all the liquid’s bonds is
6kTb þ 3kTb =2 ¼ 15kTb =2? And then the unbound molecule
has numerous collisions with other molecules, thus
reattaining a mean kinetic energy of 3kTb =2. Thus,
15kTb =2 þ 3kTb =2 ¼ 9kTb . Again, this is mathematically
eloquent but we have omitted the concept of work.
FIG. 1.
Liquid molecules near an interface.
Specifically, latent heat of vaporization generally
involves an isobaric volume increase: W ¼ PgdVg. As
Mayhew10 points out, this represents a displacement of the
atmosphere and only 2/3 of an expanding gas’s energy can
be extracted for work. Therefore, the energy requirement
for the vaporizing molecule to perform work is 3kTb =2. Consider that 6kTb breaks the bonds, leaving the vaporizing
molecule with 3kTb =2 to escape the liquid, and then another
3kTb =2 is extracted from the vaporizing molecules surroundings as it expands the system, i.e., performs work. At first the
above may seem odd but it is not. Think of it this way, the
vaporizing molecule starts off with 3kTb =2. As it pushes
upwards expanding the gaseous system, it loses energy due
to work. Yet every time it collides with molecules that
constitute its surroundings, it regains energy. Therefore, we
have 6kTb þ 3kTb =2 þ 3kTb =2 ¼ 9kTb ¼ lðl!gÞ , which again
is our desired result. Although this author is comfortable
with this path, he acknowledges that other plausible paths
may exist that warrants consideration.
Interestingly, Eq. (8) was contemplated for all six neighbors colliding with the vaporizing molecule. However, it
should now be obvious that all the energy associated with
latent heat is not limited to the bonds, thus we should rethink
our probability. This author prefers
P0ðvÞ ¼ BeðTb=TÞ :
(10)
Understandably, Eq. (10) can be obtained from Eq. (9), by
considering that for noble elements: lðl!gÞ ¼ 9kTb , but it is
not that simple.
Equation (10) implies, as T ! Tb , then P0ðvÞ ! 100%,
when B ¼ 1, i.e., all liquid molecules would try to vaporize
at once. What prevents this is the fact that B correlates to the
likelihood of all six neighbors passing on their discrete energies at the same instant plus the likelihood of the unbound
vaporizing molecule actually escaping the liquid. Interesting
consequences of Eq. (10) are that we now can better explain
both the boiling process, and why molecules which vaporizes
at Tb are not likely to be located upon the surface, i.e., surface molecules only have five neighbors. This brings us to
the critical temperature.
608
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
FIG. 2. Sketch for the latent heat of water versus temperature. Shown are
the boiling temperature, Tb and critical temperature, Tc.
V. LOW TEMPERATURE GASES AND
AVOGADRO’S HYPOTHESIS
IV. KINEMATIC NUMBERS AND THE CRITICAL
TEMPERATURE
We realize that as the liquid’s temperature increases
then the latent heat of vaporization decreases, as sketched
in Fig. 2. Furthermore, it is traditionally accepted that the
latent heat of vaporization approaches zero as the liquid’s
temperature approaches the critical temperature. Keeping it
simple, we can assert that the energy required to break the
bonds is fairly constant, hence the reason that the latent heat
decreases is mainly due to the fact that the actual energy
associated with the liquid molecules increases with
temperature.
So rather than strictly adhering to traditional dogma, let
us open our minds and investigate for the critical temperature
(Tc), the following ratio:
Lðl!gÞ =RTc :
(11)
Ex. calculation for a mole of Kr: [9029 (J/mol)]/[{8.31(J/mol
K)}(209 K)] ¼ 5.2.
We used the latent heat at the boiling point, which may
upset some readers. However, interestingly in Table I, we
can see that the ratio [Eq. (11)] for noble substances approximates 5, with the exception being: He. Consider, molecule
#2 that resides on top of the tensile layer in Fig. 1. It only
has five neighboring molecules from which it can extract
thermal energy. If the energy required from each neighboring
molecule is: lðl!gÞ =5 kTc, then we realize that even if molecule #2 possessed absolutely no thermal energy, then the
mean accessible thermal energy of its five neighbors still
would be: 5kTc , which is sufficient for molecule #2 to vaporize. Thus explaining why no tensile layer can possibly exist
when: T > Tc , irrelevant of the pressure.
Furthermore, there must exist numerous paths wherein
the vaporizing molecule, plus its neighbors, possesses
enough energy, for vaporization as: T ! Tc . Each path
would possess its own probability. Therefore, the total probability [P0ðvÞtotal ] of vaporization at Tc would be
P0ðvÞtotal ¼ P0ðcÞ1 þ P0ðcÞ2 þ P0ðcÞ3 … P0ðcÞN00 ;
FIG. 3. This figure shows that the five gases only obeys Avogadro’s hypothesis when the gas temperatures are sufficiently above absolute zero.
(12)
where the subscripts “1, 2, 3, …, N0 ” each signify a unique
path.
The explanation for why He and Ne both give poor correlations to the kinematic number for vaporization is likely
based upon their low boiling temperatures (Tb). Specifically,
Fig. 3 shows the “Number of Moles of Gas versus Temperature” for five gases, namely: H2, He, Ar, N2, and O2. The
data for the plot were made by taking the density of gases at
various temperatures,16 and dividing by their atomic weight,
i.e., Table II. If all gases obeyed Avogadro’s hypothesis in
all temperature regimes, then the plot would show a simple
linearly decreasing function of temperature. Obviously, the
closer to absolute zero a gas is, then the less that gas obeys
Avogadro’s hypothesis.
At such low temperatures, gas molecules possess significantly less kinetic energy allowing other forces to prevail.
The problem with claiming EM based attraction/repulsion
would be that both noble elements (He, Ar) behave similarly
to non-noble elements. Hence the explanation maybe as
simple as gravity becomes relevant. Or perhaps the problem
is best resolved by quantum-based arguments, i.e., BEC.
Whatever the reason, we must conclude that the validity
of Avogadro’s hypothesis decreases when temperatures
approach absolute zero. Since our kinematic numbers are
based upon a unique consideration of Boltzmann factor and
kinetic theory, of which Avogadro’s hypothesis is a result,
we understand that there will be issues with correlation for
both: He and Ne. It is interesting to note that for the correlation with critical temperature, only He critical temperature
was too low to correlate with its kinematic number.
VI. WALLS AND AVOGADRO’S HYPOTHESIS
If two unbound molecules start off with the same velocity and then collide, then conservation of momentum states
~
v2 ¼ ðM1 =M2 Þ~
v1 ;
(13)
where M, ~
v, respectively, signify mass and velocity, and the
subscripts differentiate molecule 1 from 2. Based upon
v1 ¼ M1 =M2 . But
Eq. (13), one would expect for gases: ~
v2 =~
different gases in an isothermal system possess the same
kinetic energy: Ek ¼ Mv2 =2, irrespective of their size, hence
adhere to ðv2 Þ2 =ðv1 Þ2 ¼ M1 =M2 .
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
TABLE II.
609
Density of gases at various temperature and atomic weights.
Density at 1 bar pressure (kg/m3)
Number of mol/m3
At 1 bar pressure (mol/m3)
T ( K)
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
260
280
300
320
H2
He
1.32
0.62
0.41
0.30
0.24
0.20
0.17
0.15
0.13
0.12
0.11
0.10
0.09
0.09
0.08
0.08
2.50
1.20
0.80
0.60
0.48
0.40
0.34
0.30
0.27
0.24
0.22
0.20
0.19
0.17
0.16
0.15
Ar
4.92
4.06
3.46
3.02
2.68
2.41
2.19
2.01
1.85
1.72
1.60
1.50
N2
4.38
3.44
2.84
2.42
2.12
1.88
1.69
1.52
1.41
1.30
1.20
1.12
1.05
O2
3.94
3.25
2.77
2.42
2.15
1.93
1.75
1.61
1.48
1.38
1.28
1.20
AW
H2
2.016
He
4.002
Ar
39.95
N2
28.014
O2
32
656.25
305.41
201.09
150.55
120.78
100.20
85.86
75.10
66.77
60.07
54.61
50.10
46.58
42.93
40.06
37.56
624.19
299.85
200.05
150.10
120.11
100.12
85.83
75.11
66.77
60.09
54.65
50.10
46.25
42.93
40.08
37.58
123.03
101.58
86.64
75.60
67.09
60.30
54.80
50.19
46.31
42.98
40.13
37.60
156.31
122.69
101.38
86.53
75.53
67.04
60.26
54.40
50.15
46.30
42.98
40.09
37.59
123.16
101.63
86.69
75.63
67.09
60.31
54.78
50.19
46.31
43.00
40.13
37.59
Notes: AW signifies atomic weight. mol/m3 calculated by: Density*1000/AW. Data for density vs temperature are from Ref. 16.
Furthermore, the kinetic energy of gases is simply tem
perature dependant (3NkT=2)
thus obeying the ideal gas law:
PV ¼ NkT, which can be rewritten as
V ¼ NkT=P:
(14)
Equation (14) defines the gas’s volume in terms of its
temperature, at a given pressure (P). Hence, Avogadro’s
hypothesis holds over temperatures wherein Eq. (14) remains
valid, i.e., adheres to: ðv2 Þ2 =ðv1 Þ2 ¼ M1 =M2 , which contravenes Eq. (13).
The above argument exists because kinetic theory of
gases is restricted to dilute gases. Specifically, dilute implies
that the gas molecules will tend to collide with the system
walls rather than each other. Compared with gas molecules,
walls possess infinite mass and surface area. Moreover, walls
act like an engine pumping a mean kinetic energy of: kT=2
along each axis, onto any gas molecules colliding with it. In
brief, so long as the gas molecules collide more often with
the walls than with other gas molecules, then those gas molecules will adhere to kinetic theory hence both Avogadro’s
hypothesis and the ideal gas law will hold true. Note: By
walls, we mean surfaces of condensed matter.
Remember thermodynamics is primarily based upon empirical data obtained from experimental systems with walls.
It is accepted that high-density gases do not adhere to the
ideal gas law.1 This author reasons that such gas molecules
scatter amongst themselves, more than with the walls hence,
they would adhere to Eq. (13) rather than Avogadro’s
hypothesis, or the ideal gas law. This author apologizes for
the limited discussion concerning this, leaving the full argument for his upcoming book, wherein pages are at less of a
premium.
VII. LATENT HEAT OF VAPORIZATION FOR NON
NOBLE GASES
Let us now consider the latent heat of vaporization of
substances that are not noble.
Garai1 published a table with the boiling points, and
experimental latent heats of vaporization, for 45 elements.
Under the heading “Non-noble gases” in Table I, we used his
data in order to determine the ratio [Eq. (7)], i.e.,
[Lðl!gÞ =RTb ]. When doing so, we found that the resultant
ratio tends to be between 9 and 16, with the majority of elements having ratios below 12, whilst a few elements do fall
out of these ranges.
Accepting the prospect that most liquid molecules
adhere to the same path, then we need to explain why:
lðl!gÞ =kTb > 9, or at least tends to be so. When dealing with
liquids vaporizing into nonideal gases, we must concern ourselves with the bonding energy in both the liquid and gaseous states. This is traditionally accomplished by saying that
the term “dU” in Eq. (2) covers the potential energy change
in going from the liquid to gaseous state. That is fine, but let
us now alter our visualization of this process.
Envision, 9 as the kinematic number for vaporization
with six neighbors, encompassing both the binding energy in
the liquid state and kinetic energy in the gaseous state. Why
is that additional energy required overcome any bonding
potential in the gaseous state, which causes the ratio to be
higher than: 9? Perhaps we should rephrase the question:
Why not the gas molecules simply occupy a lesser volume,
so that all that is required is: 9kTb ?
The reason resides in this author’s assertion that walls
force the gas molecules to obey Avogadro’s hypothesis. Specifically, isothermal gas molecules in a system with walls
must occupy the same volume [22.4 l, at 273 K, and 1 atm
610
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
(Ref. 15)], which explains why extra energy is needed to
overcome the bonding potentials. And this energy is likely
extracted from the system after the vaporizing molecule
escapes from the liquid.
For clarification purposes, we could calculate the energy
to form a cloud of charged particles (Ref. 17, p. 193), they
could use
Energy ¼ 3Q2 =20pe0R:
(15)
If we simply plug in Q for a mol of electronlike
molecules ¼ (1.6 1019 C)(6.02 1023), and consider a
sphere whose mol volume is: 22.4 l, hence R ¼ 0.175 m, we
end up with an energy that is way too large, to explain the
energy difference. The probable reality is that for most gases,
the net charge that needs to be contemplated is less than that
of an electron.
It should also be stated that noble gases only approximate ideal, thus we can surmise that the reason their ratios
[Eq. (7)] are slightly greater than 9 is due to their approximation as ideal, i.e., they too will have small binding energies
in the gaseous state that must be overcome.
Pv ¼ C0 Pb exp½Pb Vb =RT:
(18)
Equation (18) may look familiar to the reader as it is similar
to the Clausius–Clapeyron equation,
Pv ¼ P0 exp½Lðl!gÞ =RT;
(19)
where Pv ¼ vapor pressure, P0 ¼ constant, R ¼ gas constant
¼ 8.31 J/mol K.
Lðl!gÞ ¼ DHvap ¼ latent heat for a mole of molecules:
This author’s view is that Eq. (17) may become a useful
equation for experimental data, wherein: C0 is calculated
based upon data. Moreover, the Clausius–Clapeyron equation [Eq. (19)] suffers the detriment: Lðl!gÞ > RT. The
point made herein is that the probability as defined by
Eq. (10) may also readily explain what we witness in experiment, which is also discussed at length in this author’s
unpublished book.
VIII. CRITICAL TEMPERATURE FOR NONIDEAL
GASES
Table I also shows that for other elements the ratio as
defined by Eq. (11) is reasonably close to 5. Due to a lack of
data for the critical temperature, more elements were not
analyzed at this time as can be indicated by the NA (data not
available). The critical temperature for water is: 647 K. If we
calculate the ratio [Eq. (11)] for water, we obtain: 7.6. We
can surmise that for various substances, there may be other
considerations involved, i.e., perhaps bonding potentials in
the gaseous state.
IX. NORMALIZATION CONSTANT, PROBABILITY,
AND VAPORIZATION RATE
Can Eq. (10) equally explain empirical results? Consider
that we want to calculate the vaporization rate through a unit
surface area. Based upon Eq. (10), we could write
Jðl!gÞ ¼ N½CeðTb=TÞ ;
(16)
where “N” is the normalization factor and “[C]” is the
concentration.
If Eq. (16) signifies the rate of vaporization, then we can
surmise that in equilibrium it also equates to the rate of
vapors condensing. Certainly, the rate of vapor molecules
condensing must be proportional to the pressure exerted by
those vapors. Accordingly, based upon Eq. (16), for a pure
liquid ([C] ¼ 1), we can write
Pv ¼ C0 PbeðTb =TÞ ;
(17)
where Pv is the vapor pressure, C0 is a constant that allows
us to express the equation in terms of the pressure at the
liquid’s boiling point (Pb , Tb ). Based upon the ideal gas law
for a mol of molecules at the boiling point: Tb ¼ Pb Vb =R,
Eq. (17) becomes
X. CONCLUSIONS
The theory given, herein, allows us to explain both the
latent heat of vaporization and the critical temperature. It is
based upon the simple consideration of what happens if
vaporization requires all of the neighboring liquid molecules
colliding with the vaporizing molecule, at some instant of
time. The explanation does not require surface energy based
arguments, which become cumbersome.
We deduced that for the vaporization of noble liquid
molecules occurs when we have a total energy of: 9kTb,
hence we called “9” the kinematic number for vaporization.
And a plausible unique path was given which explains the
number 9. Certainly, this explains both, the latent heat of
vaporization and why molecules from below the tensile layer
are the ones, which tend to vaporize in simple terms. Finally,
our new probability allowed us to calculate an equation,
which was similar to the Clausius–Clapeyron equation.
Extrapolating the same path dependent logic allowed us
to explain why no tensile layer can exist at the critical
temperature (Tc). This is based upon a surface molecule,
only having five neighbors, and each of those neighbors
having a mean accessible energy of kTc , which led to noble
substances having the kinematic number: “5” for the critical
temperature.
We also discussed how experimental walls (i.e., surfaces
of condensed matter) might influence our experimental findings, by forcing gases to obey Avogadro’s hypothesis. We
discussed why Avogadro’s hypothesis is not valid at low
temperatures and provided some unexpected insights.
The fact that the explanations given herein confound
certain concepts beheld by traditional thermodynamics cannot be overlooked. Ultimately, before being embraced, or
discarded, some experiments may need to be performed.
Accordingly, this paper was written in the hope that it at least
Phys. Essays 26, 4 (2013)
invokes some discussion, if not provides the groundwork for
alternate ways of thinking.
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10