Phasenumwandlung

Phasenumwandlung, also known as phase transition or phase change, describes the process in which a substance changes from one state of matter to another. These states include solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Phase transitions occur when a substance's temperature or pressure is altered, causing a reorganization of its molecules or atomic structure.

Common types of phase transitions include melting, sublimation, condensation, freezing, vaporization, and deposition. Melting involves a substance transitioning from solid to liquid when heated beyond its melting point. Sublimation is the direct transition from solid to gas without passing through the liquid phase, as observed with dry ice. Condensation occurs when a vapor cools and forms a liquid, while freezing is the process of a liquid becoming a solid upon cooling below its freezing point. Vaporization encompasses both boiling and evaporation, where a liquid turns into gas, typically upon reaching its boiling point. Deposition is the direct solidification of a gas into a solid.

Phase transitions are characterized by the absorption or release of latent heat, which facilitates the change of state without changing temperature. These processes are governed by thermodynamic principles and are often depicted on phase diagrams, which map the stability regions of different phases based on temperature and pressure.

Understanding phase changes is essential in various scientific and industrial applications, including material science, refrigeration, meteorology, and astrophysics. The study of phase transitions provides insight into the physical properties of substances and the dynamics of matter under different environmental conditions.