Abstract:
This book is primarily intended for students at the beginning of their university studies. It
offers a comprehensive course in chemical thermodynamics, accompanied by numerous
concrete examples and progressive exercises to promote effective assimilation of the
concepts.
The book opens with an introduction to chemical thermodynamics, defining the main
thermodynamic quantities. It then addresses the two fundamental principles of the discipline,
gradually leading to the central notion of chemical potential—a concept introduced by
Gibbs—which allows the study of both physical and chemical transformations of matter.
The First Law is first applied to thermomechanical transformations, involving heat and work
exchanges, and then to chemical reactions, illustrated by numerous examples. These concrete
cases, integrated throughout the presentation, offer a clear and practical perspective on the
fields of application of thermodynamics.
The Second Law introduces the notion of system evolution, before leading to the study of
chemical equilibria and their modifications. This final section concludes with various
examples of reactions of industrial interest, chosen for their relevance.
This manual brings together a solid base of useful numerical data in chemical
thermodynamics and offers a wide selection of corrected exercises, allowing the reader to test
their knowledge and strengthen their understanding. It is the result of extensive teaching
experience, notably acquired in the preparatory cycle of the Higher School of Applied
Sciences of Tlemcen, where I teach this subject. I hope this book will provide both rigorous
and accessible support for students and teachers alike.
