(a) Rewrite the expression for the total free energy change for nucleation (Equation 10.1)...

(a) Rewrite the expression for the total free energy change for nucleation (Equation 10.1) for the case of a cubic nucleus of edge length a (instead of a sphere of radius r). Now differentiate this expression with respect to a (per Equation 10.2) and solve for both the critical cube edge length, a*, and ΔG*.

(b) Is ΔG* greater for a cube or a sphere? Why?

 (10.1)

 (10.2)