A phase diagram combines plots of pressure versus temperature for the liquid-gas, solid-liquid, and solid-gas phase-transition equilibria of a substance. Making such measurements over a wide range of pressures yields data that may be presented graphically as a phase diagram. Also described was the use of heating and cooling curves to determine a substance’s melting (or freezing) point. Considering the definition of boiling point, plots of vapor pressure versus temperature represent how the boiling point of the liquid varies with pressure.
In the previous module, the variation of a liquid’s equilibrium vapor pressure with temperature was described. Describe the supercritical fluid phase of matter.Use phase diagrams to identify stable phases at given temperatures and pressures, and to describe phase transitions resulting from changes in these properties.Explain the construction and use of a typical phase diagram.
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
