phase transition
Americannoun
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phase transitions
plural
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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.
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See also state of matter thermodynamics
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That value is consistent with ZrTe5 being positioned extremely close to a topological phase transition.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026
Non-equilibrium phase transition: a change in the state of a system that occurs when it is not in thermal equilibrium, often driven by external forces or energy input.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2024
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
The agents change from a disordered to an ordered state in what is called a "phase transition."
From Science Daily ● Apr. 26, 2024
In Guth’s original proposal the phase transition was supposed to occur suddenly, rather like the appearance of ice crystals in very cold water.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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