Classical nucleation theory — energy barriers and Ostwald ripening
Droplets: 0 | Total volume: 0
2.0
40
300 K
Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT): forming a droplet of radius r costs surface energy 4πr²γ but gains bulk free energy −(4/3)πr³·kT·ln(S)/v. The total ΔG has a maximum at the critical radius r* = 2γv/(kT·ln S) — smaller droplets dissolve, larger ones grow. The nucleation rate J ∝ exp(−ΔG*/kT). Over time, larger droplets grow at the expense of smaller ones: Ostwald ripening, driven by the Kelvin effect (smaller droplets have higher vapor pressure).