If a single component system - such as a pure metal - is allowed to cool from the liquid state at constant pressure, and the temperature recorded as a function of time, we obtain a cooling curve.
This experimental technique is known as thermal analysis.
Questions
- There is an 'arrest' at Tm, the melting temperature. Which phase(s) is/are in equilibrium at each of the three stages of cooling? You may hover the cursor over the graph lines to find out.
- Why does the temperature remain constant during the solidification process?
- In reality, it is usually necessary to cool below the melting temperature in order for solidification to start (click opposite to see an example). Why is this?
Click here to dismiss