ABSTRACT
Up to this stage, only systems containing one component have been analyzed. These simple substances can exist (at equilibrium) in up to three phases. This limit is imposed by the phase rule (Equation [1.21]),
F
=
C
+ 2 –
P
where
C
is the number of components,
P
the number of phases, and
F
the number of degrees of freedom, or adjustable thermodynamic properties.
