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Chapter 12: Problem 97

The liquid-vapor boundary line in the phase diagram of any substance always stops abruptly at a certain point. Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The liquid-vapor boundary line in the phase diagram of a substance stops abruptly at a certain point, known as the critical point. At the critical point, the properties of liquid and gas phases of the substance become identical, making them indistinguishable. Beyond the critical point, the substance enters a supercritical state where it is neither purely a liquid nor a gas.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Phase Diagrams

To begin with, it's important to understand what a phase diagram is. A phase diagram is a graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under different conditions of temperature and pressure. It shows the areas where the substance exists as a solid, liquid, or gas, and the boundaries represent transitions between these states.
02

Exploring the Liquid-Vapor Boundary

In the given problem, the focus is on the liquid-vapor boundary. This is the line in the phase diagram that separates the areas where the substance exists as a liquid and a gas. Along this line, the substance can exist in equilibrium as both a liquid and a gas.
03

Discussing the Termination of the Liquid-Vapor Boundary

The reason this boundary line stops abruptly is due to what is known as the critical point. At the critical point, the distinction between the liquid and gas phases of the substance vanishes. This happens at a specific critical temperature and pressure, beyond which the substance can no longer be distinguished as a separate liquid or gas phase. Thus, the substance is said to be in a supercritical fluid state beyond this point.

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