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A Greek mu, the energy cost of adding one more particle.
Also known as: Chemical potential, Partial molar Gibbs energy, Mu in thermodynamics
Chemical potential is how much the free energy changes when one more particle of a species is added. Matter flows from high chemical potential to low, which is what actually drives diffusion, osmosis and phase change — temperature and pressure are not enough on their own.
Denotes chemical potential, the partial derivative of the Gibbs energy with respect to amount of substance.
Contexts: Laboratory
Drives the transfer of matter between phases and regions, in the way that temperature difference drives heat flow.
Contexts: Laboratory
Is equal across phases at equilibrium, which is the condition that fixes melting and boiling points.
Contexts: Laboratory
A Greek lowercase mu, a rounded double-stroke form with a descending tail on the left.