Chapter 7: Problem 6

What is an Ellingham diagram? How is it constructed?

Short Answer

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An Ellingham diagram is a graphical method used in metallurgy to predict the thermodynamic feasibility of reduction reactions, representing temperature against the change in free energy for reactions. It is constructed by plotting the standard free energy change for a compound against the temperature.

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Definition of Ellingham Diagram

An Ellingham diagram is a graph which plots the temperature against the standard free energy change for reactions of the form: M + n/2 O_2 = MO_n where M represents a metal. It was created by Harold Ellingham in 1944. This diagram is used in metallurgy to predict the direction of redox reactions. It provides a graphical understanding of the thermodynamic feasibility of reduction reactions.

Construction of Ellingham Diagram

An Ellingham diagram is constructed by plotting the standard free energy change for a compound against temperature. Each line on the diagram represents a particular metallic oxide with the oxygen partial pressure as 1 atm, and its gradient reflects the change in standard entropy ΔSº for the oxidation reaction of one mole of metal. The intercept on the Y-axis gives the standard enthalpy change ΔHº at 298K. The standard Gibbs free energy change ΔGº for the formation of an oxide from elements at any particular temperature can be obtained from the plot.

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What is an Ellingham diagram? How is it constructed?

Short Answer

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Definition of Ellingham Diagram

Construction of Ellingham Diagram

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