This course covers equilibrium thermodynamics relevant to geological systems with emphasis on practical numerical approaches. Students will learn how to perform Gibbs-energy minimization to define the equilibrium state of simple systems. Additional topics include: phase equilibrium, phase transitions (including melting), solution chemistry, mineral-solution equilibria, equations of state, gas phase chemistry, and element partitioning.
3-4 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
This course covers equilibrium thermodynamics relevant to geological systems with emphasis on practical numerical approaches. Students will learn how to perform Gibbs-energy minimization to define the equilibrium state of simple systems. Additional topics include: phase equilibrium, phase transitions (including melting), solution chemistry, mineral-solution equilibria, equations of state, gas phase chemistry, and element partitioning.