PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

One component Water System

The water system consists of three phases.
() () ()

Since 2 is the only Chemical Compound involved. Therefore

it is single or one component system.
From phase rule, When C=1 F=C-P+2 = 1-P+2= 3-P i.e. the
degree of freedom depends on the number of phase present at
equilibrium.

The three different cases are possible.

(i)

P=1 :

F=2 (bivariant system)

(ii)

P=2 :

F=1 (Univariant)

(iii) P=3 :

F=0 (invariant)

From above, it is clear that for any one component system, the
maximum number of degrees of freedom is two.

Such a system can be represented completely by a two

diamensional diagram. The most convenient variables are
the press & temp.

PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

Name of system phase : F = C P + 2

or e
ng rv
ezi cu
Fre hi nd
l
Me

Ice

Va
po
cu uri s
rv at n
e

218 atm

Liquid

F.P. of H2 O
1 am
Pressure
in atm
4.58 mm.

Super cooling or
Metastable curve

Triple
point

B
273C

Vapour

0.075

TempC

B.P.
for H 2 O

100

374

PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

I) Curve OA It is vaporization curve.

The curve OA terminates at A. Its critical point is 218
atmospheres & temp is 3740C
It represent vapour pressure of liquid at different temp.
Two phases water & water vapour coexist in equilibrium
along the curve p=2, C=1
F=C-p+2 = 1-2+2 = 1

Univariant

When the vapour pressure is equal to 1 atmp. the

corresponding temp in degree centigrade is the Boiling
point of water i.e. 1000C
3

PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

II) Curve CB Sublimation Curve

The Cure OB terminates at B. the absolute zero 2730C
temp. It shows vapour pressure of solid ice at different
temp.

The two phases solid. Ice & water vapour coexist in

equilibrium,
F=1 & system is monovarient.

III) Curve OC Fusion Curve

The curve OC terminates at O, the critical pressure.
The two phases solic. ice & liquid vapour coexist in
equilibrium.

The curve indicates M.P. of Ice decreases with increase in

pressure. At 1 atmospheres pressure, the line meets the
curve at 00C
F=1 & system is monovariant.
4

PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

IV) The area AOC, AOB & BOC

The regions or areas between the curves shows the
conditions of temp & press under which a single phase i.e.
Ice, water & water vapour is capable of stable existence.
F = C-P +2

AOC

represent liquid phase

AOB

gaseous phase

= 1-1+2

BOC

solid phase

=2

Hence each system has two degree of freedom.

i.e. system is bivariant or divarient.

V) Triple pointAll the three curves OA, OB & OC meet at P & O called
as tripple point. Where all the three phases. Solid, Liquid
& Vapour are simultaneously in equilibrium.

The triple point occurs at 0.0075oC & 4.58 mm Hg

Pressure.
Since there are three phases & one component.
F=CP+2 =13+2=0
variant
5

System is Zero

PHASE RULE

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

VI) Metastable curve OA

This curve is also known as supercooling (water /vapour )
Curve. This is extension of curve OA i.e. Vapour pressure
curve. That is water can be super cooled by eliminating
solid particales carefully which includes crystallization.

The

super

cooled

water

system

is

unstable

i.e.

metastable. The metastable vapour pressure of super

cooled water is higher than vapour pressure of ice.

VII) Applicationsi)

In one component system the equilibrium condition

may be represented with the help of diagram taking
pressure & temp as the two areas. The diagram is
called as press- temp diagram.

ii)

In this diagram any line or curve represents an

univariant system because equilibrium conditions at
any point on line could be completely defined by just
fixing either temp or press.

PHASE RULE

iii)

ONE COMPONENT SYSTEM

THEORY

All areas represents bivariant systems because to

define the system completely at any point in the area.
Both temp & press. Should be fixed. Triple point
represents zero variants is completely define.