Phase transition - definition
Phase transition - definition
A Phase Transition is a physical process in which a substance changes from one phase of its aggregate state to another, with changes in its structural, energetic and often macroscopic properties without a change in its chemical composition. Typical phase transformations include transitions between solid, liquid and gaseous states, such as melting, solidification, evaporation, condensation and sublimation and resublimation.
At the microscopic level, phase transformation involves changes in the ordering of molecules, atoms or ions in a substance, leading to a reorganisation of intermolecular forces and a change in system parameters such as density, viscosity, thermal or electrical conductivity. This process is closely related to the exchange of energy in the form of heat of phase transformation, which in classical transformations of the first kind takes place at a constant temperature.
In thermodynamics, phase transformations are described by state functions such as free energy, entropy or enthalpy, and their course is represented by phase diagrams. In many technical applications, such as metallurgy, cryogenics, materials technology or chemical engineering, the control of phase transformations makes it possible to shape the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of materials.
Phase transformations can also occur in more complex systems involving changes in crystal structure (allotropic transformations), superconducting transitions, changes in magnetic states or transformations in soft matter systems such as colloids and polymers. In such cases, the description requires the tools of statistical physics and complex systems theory.
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