Ehrenfest equations

Ehrenfest equations (named after Paul Ehrenfest) are equations which describe changes in specific heat capacity and derivatives of specific volume in second-order phase transitions. The Clausius–Clapeyron relation does not make sense for second-order phase transitions, as both specific entropy and specific volume do not change in second-order phase transitions.

Quantitative consideration

Ehrenfest equations are the consequence of continuity of specific entropy $s$ and specific volume $v$, which are first derivatives of specific Gibbs free energy – in second-order phase transitions. If one considers specific entropy $s$ as a function of temperature and pressure, then its differential is: $ds=\left({{\partial s} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}dT+\left({{\partial s} \over {\partial P}}\right)_{T}dP$. As $\left({{\partial s} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}={{c_{P}} \over T},\left({{\partial s} \over {\partial P}}\right)_{T}=-\left({{\partial v} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}$, then the differential of specific entropy also is:

$d{s_{i}}={{c_{iP}} \over T}dT-\left({{\partial v_{i}} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}dP$,

where $i=1$ and $i=2$ are the two phases which transit one into other. Due to continuity of specific entropy, the following holds in second-order phase transitions: ${ds_{1}}={ds_{2}}$. So,

$\left({c_{2P}-c_{1P}}\right){{dT} \over T}=\left[{\left({{\partial v_{2}} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}-\left({{\partial v_{1}} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}}\right]dP$

Therefore, the first Ehrenfest equation is:

${\Delta c_{P}=T\cdot \Delta \left({\left({{\partial v} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}}\right)\cdot {{dP} \over {dT}}}$.

The second Ehrenfest equation is got in a like manner, but specific entropy is considered as a function of temperature and specific volume:

${\Delta c_{V}=-T\cdot \Delta \left({\left({{\partial P} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{v}}\right)\cdot {{dv} \over {dT}}}$

The third Ehrenfest equation is got in a like manner, but specific entropy is considered as a function of $v$ and $P$:

${\Delta \left({{\partial v} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}=\Delta \left({\left({{\partial P} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{v}}\right)\cdot {{dv} \over {dP}}}$.

Continuity of specific volume as a function of $T$ and $P$ gives the fourth Ehrenfest equation:

${\Delta \left({{\partial v} \over {\partial T}}\right)_{P}=-\Delta \left({\left({{\partial v} \over {\partial P}}\right)_{T}}\right)\cdot {{dP} \over {dT}}}$.

Limitations

Derivatives of Gibbs free energy are not always finite. Transitions between different magnetic states of metals can't be described by Ehrenfest equations.

See also

• Paul Ehrenfest
• Clausius–Clapeyron relation
• Phase transition