phase transition

American  

[fayz-tran-zish-uhn] / ˈfeɪz trænˌzɪʃ ən /

noun

plural

phase transitions

1. Physical Chemistry. the change from one phase of a substance to another, such as from solid to liquid.

---

phase transition Scientific  

1. A change in a feature of a physical system that results in a discrete transition of that system to another state. For example, the melting of ice is a phase transition of water from a solid phase to a liquid phase. Phase transitions often involve the absorption or emission of energy from the system; ice, at 0 ° Celsius, must absorb a considerable amount of heat energy to become water.

2. See also state of matter thermodynamics

---

Example Sentences

Understanding the electromagnetic properties of the QGP may help physicists unravel the mysteries of the phase transition between QGP and ordinary nuclear matter made of protons and neutrons.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2024

That, in turn, may help them unravel mysteries of the phase transition between deconfined quarks and gluons and composite particles such as protons and neutrons.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2024

This change in motion was attributed to a phase transition in the crystal that created more space between adjacent molecules, giving the phenylene rings more room to rotate.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2024

The team succeeded in increasing the temperature of the magnetic phase transition by more than ten per cent.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

Eventually there would be what is called a phase transition and the symmetry between the forces would be broken: the strong force would become different from the weak and electromagnetic forces.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking