2
$\begingroup$

I know about the 3 clasical states of matter: Solid, Liquid and Gas. But I've also observed how between Solid and Liquid there are some materials that will have an "in-between" phase state: Liquids that get thicker as the temperature decreases until they freeze, or solids that become more malleable when the temperature raises until they melt. See for instance glass (silicon dioxide), or metals (iron, aluminium, sodium, etc.)

But I've never seen such behaviour in between liquid to gas. I've always seen all transitions between these two states as binary - the state is either gas or liquid. The closer thing I can think of is Clouds, but AFAIK they are actually made of tiny droplets of liquid water that are just on suspension in the air. Gas can get its density drastically changed by heating it up, but it always makes a big jump when going from gas to liquid.

Which makes me wonder - Why? Why do we have a in-between state between solid and liquid, but not between liquid and gas?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ @JohnRennie I don't think crystalization has something to do with transition from liquid to gas or viceversa. $\endgroup$
    – Victor Oliva
    Commented Dec 11, 2017 at 16:32
  • $\begingroup$ Oops, yes, sorry I misread your question. $\endgroup$
    – John Rennie
    Commented Dec 11, 2017 at 16:33

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

I would argue that you do see certain temperature-dependent responses in a liquid relative to a gas analogous to those that you see relative to a solid.

The two examples you give are the temperature-dependent viscosity of a liquid and the yield stress of a solid decreasing with increasing temperature.

For the first example, in the same way that a liquid's viscosity increases with cooling (towards a solid's high viscosity associated with its creep rate), it correspondingly decreases with heating (towards the low viscosity of the gas phase).

In the second example, the yield strength of a solid (which is one of its material properties) decreases with increasing temperature, approaching the limiting condition of a fluid, which has no yield strength. (Put another way, liquids and gases cannot sustain a shear force.)

But as I heat a liquid, its surface tension (which is another material property) decreases, approaching the limiting condition of a gas, which has no positive surface tension.

So I don't see the situation as being quite as one-sided as you describe.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

Supercritical fluids are the answer. Thee reason why they are usually non-conventional or as mentioned as liquid crystals, I believe, is purely educational. I mean, you are not going to find out supercritical fluids in your daily life...So, unfortunately, and despite all the new states of matter we do know at current time, they are not included in the academic curriculum. A pity, because who knows what applications of these states could bring in the future. Anyway, you are going to experience more plasmas than supercritical fluids in you average life-time, so...I presume, that people think this kind of matter is not very relevant for all practical purposes...Here in wikipedia has a nice entry: supercritical fluids in wikipedia

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

There is a state of atter between gas and liquid called "supercritical fluid." There is a thread here on that, including discussion on why supercritical fluids are not considered a separate state of matter.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I don't think it's correct to say that supercritical fluids are between liquid and gas. The reality is, as the pressure and temperature increase, the differences between liquid and gas phases diminish: Their densities become more alike, their viscosities become more alike, etc., until you reach the critical point where there is no difference at all. "Supercritical" is a realm beyond liquid or gas. $\endgroup$
    – Solomon Slow
    Commented Dec 11, 2017 at 17:35

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.