One Component System

Examples of one component system

1. Ice Water Vapour System
2. Ice system (Fifteen different forms of ice exists)
3. Sulphur System (3 solid forms rhombic , monoclinic and triclinic)

Ice Water Vapour System (Water System)

It is a single component system as there is only one chemically
independent species in all the three possible phases.
On subjecting to heat , physical transformation takes place ie phase
changes hence it is a phase reaction
Water can exist in all three forms depending on pressure and
temperature
The minimum number of phase for any system is one. When only one
phase is present the number of degrees of freedom is 2 as shown below
F = CP+2 =2
= 11+2
F =2
However the minimum degree of freedom for any system is zero. Hence
for a single component system, the maximum number of phases which can
coexist is three as shown below
F= C P+2
P= C F+2
= 1 0 +2
P=3
The phase diagram of water (given below) clearly indicates the conditions of
temperature and pressure at which various phases are at equilibrium, which
has been determined experimentally
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Areas under consideration: AOC, BOC and AOB

In the areas AOC, BOC and AOB only a single phase exists.
The area AOC, BOC and AOB contains liquid, solid and gas
respectively.
Consider any point x, y or z in any one of the area, at these point
either solid / liquid / gas is present.
Hence P= 1 and water is a single component system so C =1 applying
phase rule to these points
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F= C P + 2
=11+2
F= 2
The system is bivariant, which means both pressure and temperature
has to be specified to define the point completely.
Lines under consideration:
(i) OA Vapourisation / Condensation curve
(ii) OC - Melting / Freezing curve
(iii) OB - Sublimation curve
(iv) OA- Meta Stable curve
Vapourisation curve

H2O(liq) H2O(gas)
This curve is also called as vapour pressure curve.
In a closed vessel from which all the air has been removed, along this
line, water and vapour are in equilibrium.
Consider a point v on the line, at this point C = 1, P = 2 (water and
vapour)
Applying phase rule to v
F= C P + 2 = 1 2 + 2
F=1

The system is monovariant (i.e.) along the line, it is sufficient to

state either pressure or temperature to describe the system completely.
When one is specified the other is automatically fixed. (For a given
pressure there can be only one temp. & vice versa)
The curve OA ends abruptly at the point A, which corresponds to the
critical temperature. (Tc 374oC) .
The pressure corresponding to Tc is 220 atm.
Tc is the temperature above which vapour can never be liquefied how
much ever pressure is applied.
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 Above this point the liquid and gaseous phases merge together
(becomes like mist)

Melting / Freezing curve / Fusion curve

H2O(solid) H2O(liq)
Along this curve solid and liquid are at equilibrium.
Consider a point M on the line ,at this point C = 1, P = 2 (ice and
water)
Applying phase rule to M
F= C P + 2 = 1 2 + 2
F=1

System is monovariant
The line OC is inclined towards the pressure axis.
The slight inclination of the curve towards Y axis shows that the
melting point of ice decreases with increase in pressure.
Ice is less denser than water. Hence the liquid state is more compact
than the solid state.
This is also indicated by the sloping of the freezing curve towards
pressure axis.
Sublimation curve
H2O(solid) H2O(gas)
Along OB Solid and gas are in equilibrium
Consider a point S on the line, at this point C = 1, P = 2 (ice and
gas)
Applying phase rule to S
F= C P + 2
=12+2
F=1
System is monovariant
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Metastable curve
H2O(super cooled

liq)

H2O(gas)

As water is more compact than ice, and system tends to attain

compactness, it is possible to cool water below zero degree without
solidification.
It can be said that along this curve the super cooled water is in
equilibrium with vapour.
Metastable equilibrium is a fragile equilibrium which will be
destroyed even with slight disturbance ( such as stirring ,change in
variables etc.,)
Even a slight disturbance in equilibrium will bring about the
precipitation of water as ice and the metastable state will disappear.
At any temperature, the pressure of metastable condition is greater
than sublimation pressure ( the metastable curve lies above
sublimation curve)
Point O : Triple Point
H2O(solid)

H2O(liq)

H2O(gas)

This is an unique point as the three lines ( OA , OB & OC ) meets at

this point. Hence all the 3 phases are at equilibrium.
At point O C = 1, P = 3 (ice ,water and gas)
Applying phase rule to O
F= C P + 2
=13+2
F =0
The system is nonvariant / invariant (ie) both temperature and pressure
is constant.
The temperature and pressure at which all three phases are present are
0.01oC (actually 0.0098OC) and 4.58mm respectively.
Any slight change in temperature / pressure disturbs the equilibrium.
(Makes two phases to disappear)

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Summary of One component Ice Water Vapour system

Name
system

of

the Equilibrium

F=C-P+2

Nature of the
system

1(Solid)
1(Liquid)
1(gas)

2
2
2

Bivariant
Bivariant
Bivariant

Areas
BOC
AOC
AOB

Lines / Curves

OC Melting curve

H2O(s) H2O(l)

2 (S&L)

Monovariant

OA Vaporisation
curve

H2O(l) H2O(g)

2 (L&G)

Monovariant

OB
Sublimation
curve

H2O(s) H2O(g)

2 (S&G)

Monovariant

2 (L&G)

Monovariant

Nonvariant

OB Meta stable H2O(super cooled liquid)

H2O(g)
curve

Point

O Triple point

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H2O(s) H2O(l)
H2O(g)

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Interesting Facts about Ice Water System

A peculiar nature of H2O is, unlike most substance, H2O in solid form
(ice) is less dense than liquid. This is because water reaches its
maximum density at 4C (40F).

As it cools further and freezes into ice, it actually becomes less dense.
On the other hand, most substances are denser in their solid (frozen)
state than in their liquid state

Water is different because of hydrogen bonding. As water cools below
4C, the hydrogen bonds adjust to hold the negatively charged oxygen
atoms apart. This produces a crystal lattice, which is commonly
known as 'ice'. Ice floats because it is about 9% less dense than liquid
water

So a liter of ice weighs less than a liter of water.

The heavier water displaces the lighter ice, so ice floats to the top.

One consequence of this is that lakes and rivers freeze from top to
bottom, allowing fish to survive even when the surface of a lake has
frozen over.

Ice
Loosely
packed
hence
less
dense
Water
Tightly
packed
hence
more
dense
Ice floating on water
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