Thermodynamics term, usage

The rigor and power of equilibrium thermodynamics is purchased at the price of precise operational definitions. In this section, we wish to carefully define four of the most important thermodynamic terms system, property, macroscopic, and state. Although each term has an everyday meaning, it is important to understand the more rigorous and precise aspects of their usage in the thermodynamic context. 

Thermodynamics uses abstract models to represent real-world systems and processes. These processes may appear in a rich variety of situations, including controlled laboratory conditions, industrial production facilities, living systems, the environment on Earth, and space. A key step in applying the methods of thermodynamics to such diverse processes is to formulate the thermodynamic model for each process. This step requires precise definitions of thermodynamic terms. Students (and professors ) of thermodynamics encounter—and sometimes create—apparent contradictions that arise from careless or inaccurate use of language. Part of the difficulty is that many thermodynamic terms also have everyday meanings different from their thermodynamic usage. This section provides a brief introduction to the language of thermodynamics. 

A special kind of stabilized emulsion in which the dispersed droplets are extremely small (<100 nm) and the emulsion is thermodynamically stable. These emulsions are transparent and can form spontaneously. In some usage a lower size-limit of about 10 nm is implied in addition to the upper limit see also Micellar Emulsion. In some usage the term microemulsion is reserved for a Winsor type IV system (water, oil, and surfactants all in a single phase). See also Winsor Type Emulsions. 

In the description of crystals and crystal structures the two terms/om and habit have very specific and very different meanings. Form refers to the internal crystal structure and etymologically is the descendant of the Greek morph. Hence, polymorph refers to a number of different crystal modifications or different crystal structures, and the naming of different structures as Form F or a Form follows directly from this definition and usage. As we have seen above, the difference in crystal structure is very much, although not exclusively, a function of thermodynamics. Certainly, only the structures which are thermodynamically accessible can ever exist, but there often is a question of thermodynamic vs kinetic control over which particular structure may be obtained under any particular set of crystal growth conditions. 

This term is somewhat unfortunate since it implies that the Hittorf transference numbers are false. The latter are, however, the values used in thermodynamic relations, and are measures of a perfectly definite, though somewhat complex, process. The term true in this connection is, however, of too general usage to make a change advisable. 

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