Describes a graduate chemical engineering course in transport phenomena that emphasizes jump conditions at phase boundaries and fluid-dynamic discontinuities. (MLH)

This round table discussion, with Ilya Prigogine and others of the Brussels school, consists of a series of questions and answers relating to thermodynamics and biological order. (JR)

Many standard physical chemistry textbooks contain ambiguities which lead to confusion about standard electrode potentials, calculating cell voltages, and writing reactions for galvanic cells. This article shows how standard electrode potentials can be used to calculate cell voltages and deduce cell reactions. (Author/RH)

Describes problems encountered in teaching of heat at secondary level as stemming from the fact that the word heat is used to imply two ideas: energy and interactions. Suggests some necessary measures for a teacher to avoid confusion in heat teaching. (CC)

Describes the principle involved in an osmotic pump used to extract fresh water from the oceans and in an osmotic power plant used to generate electricity. Although shown to be thermodynamically feasible, the osmotic principle is not likely to be used commerically for these purposes in the near future. (JR)

Compares the cost, in terms of thermodynamic potential, of manufacturing automobiles from raw mineral resources or from recycled vehicles, and of the production of extended-life products. Uses this as an example for arguing that new technologies, with efficiencies closer to the theoretical themodynamic minima, are needed if a society is to…

The often observed and misunderstood phenomenon of movement of black and white vanes in toy radiometers under illumination is discussed in a generalized non-mathematical manner. Effects of light pressure, low gas density, friction, heat, and motion are illustrated. (JM)

Thermodynamic availability functions can be viewed graphically, providing valuable unexpected insights into the nature and meaning of the functions. As a demonstration, the following question is explored and discussed: "What is the maximum work a system can perform in moving into equilibrium with the temperature and pressure of its…

Discusses principles and definitions related to the thermodynamics of dilute solutions. Topics considered include dilute solution, Gibbs-Duhem equation, reference systems (pure gases and gaseous mixtures, liquid mixtures, dilute solutions), real dilute solutions (focusing on solute and solvent), terminology, standard states, and reference systems.…

Discusses Le Chatelier's Principle from a thermodynamic perspective and applies it to the effect of temperature on the solubility of gases in liquids. Rationale of this discussion is to evaluate data in a previous article claimed to be contradictory to the Principle. (Author/JN)

Applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to a biological system (running) are presented. Seven homework problems and four detailed examples are included. (JN)