Thermodynamics, 5th Edition

Chapter 7

Critical Phenomena

7.0 Introductory Remarks

In this chapter, we provide a heuristic introduction to scaling procedures that characterize the properties of systems close to their critical point. The objective is to provide some general insights and to convey the flavor of the methodology. Much of the treatment of critical phenomena depends on advanced mathematical techniques beyond our purview. However, certain illuminating aspects can be discussed without the use of these techniques. We center the discussion on critical exponents and the Landau theory of critical phenomena. For a more extensive exposition of the subject, the reader is referred to several sources in the literature¹.

7.1 Properties of Materials Near Their Critical Point ...