vaiheenmuutos

Vaiheenmuutos refers to a physical process where a substance transitions from one state of matter to another. Common examples include melting, where a solid becomes a liquid, boiling or evaporation, where a liquid becomes a gas, and condensation, where a gas becomes a liquid. Freezing is the transition from liquid to solid, sublimation is the direct transition from solid to gas, and deposition is the direct transition from gas to solid.

These transformations occur at specific temperatures and pressures known as phase transition points. For instance, water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure. During a phase change, the temperature of the substance often remains constant even as heat energy is added or removed. This energy is used to break or form intermolecular bonds, rather than to increase the kinetic energy of the molecules, which is reflected in temperature.

The study of vaiheenmuutos is fundamental in thermodynamics and materials science. Understanding these processes is crucial in various applications, from weather forecasting and industrial manufacturing to the design of refrigerators and power plants. The properties of a substance can change dramatically with each phase, influencing its density, viscosity, and ability to conduct heat and electricity.