What is phase transition?

loom91

Hi,

I was wondering, what actually are phase transitions such as fusion or evaporation? I know thermodynamic definitions such as points where the Gibbs energy is non-analytic or heat capacity changes abruptly, but these say nothing about mechanism. Why does a substance suddenly change its characteristics radically? Thanks.

Molu

oghenez

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_transition

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loom91	What is phase transition? Tweet Hi, I was wondering, what actually are phase transitions such as fusion or evaporation? I know thermodynamic definitions such as points where the Gibbs energy is non-analytic or heat capacity changes abruptly, but these say nothing about mechanism. Why does a substance suddenly change its characteristics radically? Thanks. Molu