Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-year-2-of-the-earth-sciences-geology-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2024/paper-3/10/i/solution

Use base-ten logarithms and dimensionless thermodynamic activities at the stated temperature and pressure. Define and . The concentration notation is an ideal dilute-solution approximation with a consistent concentration reference.
With pure solids and unit water activity, the two reaction quotients are and . Equating them to the corresponding equilibrium constants gives
The slopes on the mineral activity diagram are and . The lines meet at , within the negative silica-logarithm range.

New to topics? Read the docs here!