Definition
Matter in the universe generally exists in one of four phases (states in which matter has essentially uniform physical properties): plasma, gas, liquid, and solid. The transition between each phase has an associated name (Fig. 1). Transitions can also occur within the solid phase.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References and Further Reading
McQuarrie DA, Simon JD (1997) Physical chemistry: a molecular approach. University Science, Sausalito
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Cleaves, H.J.J. (2014). Phase Transition. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_4020-3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_4020-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics
Publish with us
Chapter history
-
Latest
Phase Transition- Published:
- 30 December 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_4020-4
-
Original
Phase Transition- Published:
- 05 May 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_4020-3