Helmholtz Free Energy Expressions (SWBQs)

Highlights of the activity

1. SWBQ: “Write down the equivalent physical and mathematical statements for the Helmholtz free energy equation.”
2. SWBQ: “Compare the math statement with the physics statement and find any corresponding relationships.”
3. Students will relate variables to the partial derivatives they are equivalent to.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

When comparing the experimentally-shown physics form of the Helmholtz free energy to the mathematical form, valuable relations between the variables in the physics form and the partial differentials in the mathematical form can be found. These expressions can eventually be used by students to find one of the Maxwell relations. The same technique can be applied to the expressions for the internal energy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy to find the remaining Maxwell relations.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version