Why are the shifts between phases of matter so sudden? Why aren’t there transitional phases?
In: Chemistry
I think it has to do with energy thresholds inherent to the matter states. For example in a solid, two atoms/molecules are bound together by a chemical bond. That chemical bond holds them together and is what gives the material a “solid” structure. When you heat up the solid, you’ll eventually get to a point where you have enough energy to break that bond and the two atoms/molecules are now free from each other. You don’t gradually break a bond, it doesn’t get weaker and weaker. It just suddenly breaks.
I’m not sure if this explains the transition between liquid and gas.
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