Past exam of the year 2 of the earth sciences (geology) course of the University of Oxford / 2025 / Paper 3 / 10 / a / Solution

Take base-ten logarithms and use dimensionless thermodynamic activities. The supplied concentration notation is interpreted in the ideal dilute-solution approximation, with a consistent reference concentration. PutWith pure solids and unit water activity, the reaction quotients are $Q_I=10^{2y+2x}$ and $Q_{II}=10^{2y+6x}$. At chemical equilibrium, $Q=K$, so the two lines on the mineral activity diagram areThey have slopes $-1$ and $-3$. Restricting the plotted silica activity to $x<0$ is compatible with their intersection,Their full straight extensions are equilibrium relations for the respective phase pairs; not every extension is a stable boundary when the third mineral is available.