Phase transition
Phase transition
Phase transition (pronunciation: /feɪz trænˈsɪʃən/) is a term used in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics to describe the transformation of a thermodynamic system from one state of matter to another.
Etymology
The term "phase transition" is derived from the Greek word "phasis," which means "appearance," and the Latin word "transitio," which means "going across." It was first used in the context of thermodynamics in the late 19th century.
Definition
A phase transition is a change in the state of matter of a system that results from a change in the external conditions, such as temperature, pressure, or others. This change is usually characterized by a discontinuity in some thermodynamic property. The most common examples of phase transitions are the transitions between the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of matter.
Types of Phase Transitions
Phase transitions can be classified into two main types: first-order phase transitions and second-order phase transitions. First-order phase transitions are characterized by a discontinuity in the first derivative of the free energy with respect to some thermodynamic variable. Second-order phase transitions, on the other hand, are characterized by a discontinuity in the second derivative of the free energy.
Related Terms
- Critical point: The point at which two phases become indistinguishable from one another.
- Critical phenomena: The collective term for the unusual behavior of systems near a critical point.
- Phase diagram: A graphical representation of the phase behavior of a system.
- Phase (matter): A region of space (a thermodynamic system) throughout which all physical properties of a material are essentially uniform.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phase transition
- Wikipedia's article - Phase transition
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