fázisátalakulása

Fázisátalakulása, often translated as phase transition, refers to the physical process where a substance changes from one state of matter to another. This typically occurs when external conditions such as temperature or pressure are altered, causing the substance to cross a phase boundary. Common examples include melting, where a solid turns into a liquid, or boiling, where a liquid transforms into a gas. Conversely, solidification (liquid to solid) and condensation (gas to liquid) are also phase transitions.

These transformations are characterized by a distinct change in the substance's physical properties, such as density, viscosity, and heat capacity. During a phase transition, energy is either absorbed or released, a phenomenon known as latent heat. For instance, melting requires the absorption of heat to break the bonds holding the solid structure together, while condensation releases heat as molecules form intermolecular attractions in the liquid state.

Phase transitions are not limited to solid, liquid, and gas states. Other transitions include sublimation (solid to gas) and deposition (gas to solid). In more complex systems, phase transitions can also describe changes in magnetic or electrical properties, such as ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transitions or transitions to superconducting states. The study of phase transitions is a fundamental aspect of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, providing insights into the behavior of matter under varying conditions.