Shock dynamics of phase diagrams

Journal Article · Tue Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2014.01.011· OSTI ID:22314786

Moro, Antonio

A thermodynamic phase transition denotes a drastic change of state of a physical system due to a continuous change of thermodynamic variables, as for instance pressure and temperature. The classical van der Waals equation of state is the simplest model that predicts the occurrence of a critical point associated with the gas–liquid phase transition. Nevertheless, below the critical temperature theoretical predictions of the van der Waals theory significantly depart from the observed physical behaviour. We develop a novel approach to classical thermodynamics based on the solution of Maxwell relations for a generalised family of nonlocal entropy functions. This theory provides an exact mathematical description of discontinuities of the order parameter within the phase transition region, it explains the universal form of the equations of state and the occurrence of triple points in terms of the dynamics of nonlinear shock wave fronts. -- Highlights: •A new generalisation of van der Waals equation of state. •Description of phase transitions in terms of shock dynamics of state curves. •Proof of the universality of equations of state for a general class of models. •Interpretation of triple points as confluence of classical shock waves. •Correspondence table between thermodynamics and nonlinear conservation laws.

• OSTI ID: 22314786
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York) Journal Issue: Complete Vol. 343; ISSN 0003-4916; ISSN APNYA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CONSERVATION LAWS
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE
ENTROPY
EQUATIONS OF STATE
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
ORDER PARAMETERS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SHOCK WAVES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMODYNAMICS
TRIPLE POINT
VAN DER WAALS FORCES