faasivahetusega

Faasivahetus, often translated as phase transition, refers to a physical process where a substance changes from one state of matter to another. This typically occurs at a specific temperature and pressure. Common examples include the melting of ice into water (solid to liquid), the boiling of water into steam (liquid to gas), or the freezing of water into ice (liquid to solid). These transitions involve changes in the arrangement and energy of the molecules within the substance.

During a phase transition, the temperature of the substance often remains constant even as heat is added or removed. This energy is used to break or form the intermolecular bonds that define the particular phase. For instance, when ice melts, the added heat energy is absorbed as latent heat of fusion to overcome the forces holding the water molecules in a rigid crystalline structure. Once all the ice has melted, further heat addition will raise the temperature of the liquid water.

Other types of phase transitions exist beyond the familiar solid, liquid, and gas states. These include transitions between different solid crystalline structures, or changes in magnetic properties. The study of phase transitions is a fundamental aspect of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, helping scientists understand the behavior of matter under varying conditions. The critical point is a significant condition where the distinction between liquid and gas phases disappears.