Conclusion and Summary

Abstract

In this book, we have examined the characteristics of phase transitions, from the viewpoints of both thermodynamics and kinetics. We have focused on homogeneous systems composed of atoms that interact by relatively short-range forces such as van der Waals forces, so that the rare gas liquids and solids are the systems that best represent what we have studied. The interpretation used throughout is based deeply in the concept of voids in an otherwise dense system, whether ordered or disordered. We have put much emphasis on the relations between bulk systems and small systems, on the differences, similarities and connections between these two forms of matter. The motivation for this approach is the way that small, readily-analyzed systems give insights into their bulk counterparts that do not emerge from looking only at large systems.