The aim of the research has been a mathematical analysis of the phase rule and its role in solving the problem of minimizing the total free energy of the system. A special equilibrium problem is studied, where, in addition to the normal potential functions of the phases, the electrostatic energy of the system is taken into account. The electrostatic energy function is not homogeneous of the first degree with respect to the variables and therefore the phase rule becomes slightly modified. An equation for the maximum number of coexisting phases for the equilibrium problem of this kind is derived and it is illustrated by simple examples.
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