Methane and ethane are a particularly abundant mixture found on Titan, Saturn's largest natural satellite. Although these systems are not unusual, prediction of their phase behavior and thermodynamic properties is often not straight-forward. The development of a full phase diagram is of great interest in the understanding of how the bodies of liquid known to be on Titan's surface have managed to stay liquid below the freezing temperatures of the species present.<br/><br/>Using a thermodynamic approach that assumes ideal mixing, phase behavior of the eutectic methane and ethane can be predicted. When coupled with molecular dynamics simulations (MD), which offer a unique insight to the harsh conditions of the outer solar system with precise control, expansions of the real effects of non-ideal interactions can be quantified. Many common physical properties can be determined from MD, but it also provides an understanding at the atomistic level of what occurs in a mixture.<br/><br/>Combining a theoretical approach with experimental, the boundaries of these predicted phase transitions can be elucidated. The Astrophysics Ice Lab at Northern Arizona University is home to a laboratory apparatus capable of cooling samples to 30 K, and designed with windows to allow for spectroscopy of a bulk sample. Raman spectroscopy in particular is a powerful tool to evaluate the behavior of a mixture and allows for an in-depth study of the systems in question.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the phase stability of methane and ethane mixtures at temperatures relevant to the outer solar system

255th National Meeting (2018)

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