Blundell Thermal Physics · Problem 26.1

Real gases

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · van-der-waals-isothermal-compressibility

Problem

Show that the isothermal compressibility

\kappa_T

of a van der Waals gas at

V = V_c

can be written as

\kappa_T = \frac{4b}{3R}(T - T_c)^{-1}. \tag{26.64}

Sketch the temperature dependence of

\kappa_T

and explain what happens to the properties of the gas when the temperature is lowered through the critical temperature.