The translation-rotation paradox in the nucleation theory

The factor of 10¹⁷ proposed by Lothe and Pound in the theory of nucleation of droplets from the vapor phase is studied using classical statistical mechanics. The controversial factor is derived from partition functions for an isolatedn-mer and for ann-molecular cluster imbedded in the bulk liquid phase. The rotational degrees of freedom have no place in, in agreement with Reiss, Katz, and Cohen's treatment. It is proved that the surface free energy of a cluster is proportional to the surface area. The estimate of what Lothe and Pound called the replacement term is different from those of previous authors. It is concluded that is written as a ratio = _g/_l, where _g and _l , are the volumes per molecule in the gas phase and in the liquid phase, respectively. For water at 300K, is approximately equal to 10₄.