Metastable Liquids

Concepts and Principles
Erscheinungsjahr 1997
ISBN: 978-0-691-08595-1
Verlag: Princeton University Press

Buch, Englisch, 400 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 807 g

Reihe: Physical Chemistry: Science and Engineering

Metastable Liquids provides a comprehensive treatment of the properties of liquids under conditions where the stable state is a vapor, a solid, or a liquid mixture of different composition. It examines the fundamental principles that govern the equilibrium properties, stability, relaxation mechanisms, and relaxation rates of metastable liquids. Building on the interplay of kinetics and thermodynamics that determines the thermophysical properties and structural relaxation of metastable liquids, it offers an in-depth treatment of thermodynamic stability theory, the statistical mechanics of metastability, nucleation, spinodal decomposition, supercooled liquids, and the glass transition.Both traditional topics--such as stability theory--and modern developments--including modern theories of nucleation and the properties of supercooled and glassy water--are treated in detail. An introductory chapter illustrates, with numerous examples, the importance and ubiquity of metastable liquids. Examples include the ascent of sap in plants, the strategies adopted by many living organisms to survive prolonged exposure to sub-freezing conditions, the behavior of proteins at low temperatures, metastability in mineral inclusions, ozone depletion, the preservation and storage of labile biochemicals, and the prevention of natural gas clathrate hydrate formation. All mathematical symbols are defined in the text and key equations are clearly explained. More complex mathematical explanations are available in the appendixes.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Debenedetti, Pablo G.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Thermodynamik
• Naturwissenschaften Chemie Physikalische Chemie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface and Acknowledgments1Introduction: Metastable Liquids in Nature and Technology12Thermodynamics633Kinetics1474Supercooled Liquids2355Outlook363App. 1Stability of Fluids: Thermodynamic and Mathematical Proofs367App. 2Thermodynamics of Fluid Interfaces377App. 3Definitions of Microscopic and Statistical Quantities389Index397