The Thermodynamics of Films: Energy and Entropy of Extension and Spreading of Insoluble Monolayers

The thermodynamic relations of insoluble monolayers on a mobile subphase are given, and equations are presented for their (a) increase of entropy, (b) heat absorbed, (c) increase of heat content, and (d) increase of internal energy, during expansion. Two different methods of expansion are considered: in spreading the decrease of area of the subphase is equal to the increase of area of the monolayer; in extension the monolayer expands but the area of the clean surface of the subphase remains constant. The two‐dimensional phases are classified as: I. gas; II. liquid (L1) expanded; III. intermediate or transition; IV. liquid (L2) condensed; and V. solid. The extreme limits of molecular area for the intermediate liquid phase are for pentadecylic acid about 22 and 44A2, while those for the liquid phases IV, III, and II, are from about 20.5 to 52A2 which indicates that, beginning with a two‐dimensional liquid in its most condensed condition, the mean molecular distances may be increased by as much as 60 percent...