"In chemistry, thermodynamics, and other related fields, a phase transition (or phase change) is the physical process of transition between one state of a medium and another."
A change in the state of matter at a specific temperature and pressure.
Thermodynamics: The study of heat and energy transfer in physical systems.
Statistical mechanics: The study of the behavior of large systems of particles using statistical methods.
Equilibrium statistical mechanics: The study of the behavior of a system in thermal equilibrium.
Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: The study of the behavior of a system that is not in thermal equilibrium.
Phase transitions: The abrupt change in the behavior of a system as it undergoes a change in temperature or pressure.
Critical phenomena: The study of the behavior of a system near its critical point, where the properties of the system change dramatically.
Universality: The observation that the behavior of systems near their critical point is independent of the specific details of the system.
Ising model: A simplified model used to study phase transitions in magnetic systems.
Scaling theory: A theory that explains the behavior of systems near their critical point in terms of a few simple scaling laws.
Renormalization group theory: A theory that explains the behavior of systems near their critical point in terms of the flow of energy scales.
Mean field theory: A theory that approximates the behavior of a system by assuming that each particle interacts with an average field created by all the other particles.
Landau theory: A theory that describes the free energy of a system in terms of a few order parameters.
Monte Carlo simulations: A method for simulating the behavior of a system using statistical methods.
Molecular dynamics simulations: A method for simulating the behavior of a system using classical mechanics.
First-order phase transition: In this type, there is a discontinuity in the order parameter and entropy at the transition point. This transition occurs between two distinct phases.
Second-order phase transition: In this type, there is no discontinuity in the order parameter at the transition point, but there is a discontinuity in the derivative of the order parameter with respect to the temperature or other external parameter that controls the transition. This transition occurs between phases that have the same symmetry.
Continuous phase transition: This is a type of second-order phase transition in which the order parameter changes continuously with the external parameter.
Critical point: In this type, the properties of a substance change significantly near a particular temperature and pressure, and there is no distinction between the liquid and gas phases.
Hysteretic phase transition: This is a type of first-order phase transition that exhibits hysteresis, which means that the system does not return to its original state when the external factor is reversed.
Tricritical point: This represents a point where three phases meet and the properties of the substance change in a unique way.
Multicritical point: This is where multiple types of phase transitions coexist.
Spinodal decomposition: In this type, a homogeneous mixture of two substances transforms into an inhomogeneous mixture due to the separation of the different components from each other.
Percolation transition: This represents a transition where the geometrical properties of a substance change without any noticeable change in the order parameter.
Disorder-driven phase transition: This is a type of second-order phase transition that involves the addition of disorder to the system, resulting in a change in the properties of the system.
"Commonly the term is used to refer to changes among the basic states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas, and in rare cases, plasma."
"A phase of a thermodynamic system and the states of matter have uniform physical properties."
"During a phase transition of a given medium, certain properties of the medium change as a result of the change of external conditions, such as temperature or pressure."
"This can be a discontinuous change; for example, a liquid may become gas upon heating to its boiling point, resulting in an abrupt change in volume."
"The identification of the external conditions at which a transformation occurs defines the phase transition point."
"In chemistry, thermodynamics, and other related fields..."
"...in rare cases, plasma."
"During a phase transition of a given medium..."
"...certain properties of the medium change as a result of the change of external conditions..."
"...a liquid may become gas upon heating to its boiling point, resulting in an abrupt change in volume."
"A phase transition (or phase change) is the physical process of transition between one state of a medium and another."
"...a liquid may become gas upon heating to its boiling point, resulting in an abrupt change in volume."
"The identification of the external conditions at which a transformation occurs defines the phase transition point."
N/A (The paragraph doesn't explicitly mention reversibility)
"...thermodynamics, and other related fields..."
N/A (The paragraph states that external conditions cause the change)
"...a liquid may become gas upon heating to its boiling point, resulting in an abrupt change in volume."
N/A (The paragraph doesn't mention specific substances)
N/A (The paragraph implies phase transitions occur between different states of matter)