Interface: Difference between revisions
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An interface is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular | An interface is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular | ||
structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. The cost | structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. The cost | ||
in [[Helmholtz energy function | Helmholtz energy]] to create such a structure is known as the the [[surface tension]]. | in terms of the [[Helmholtz energy function | Helmholtz energy]] to create such a structure is known as the the [[surface tension]]. | ||
The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the | The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the | ||
fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system. | fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system. | ||
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[[diffusion at interfaces]]. | [[diffusion at interfaces]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00018737900101365 R. Evans "The nature of the liquid-vapour interface and other topics in the statistical mechanics of non-uniform, classical fluids" | #[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00018737900101365 R. Evans "The nature of the liquid-vapour interface and other topics in the statistical mechanics of non-uniform, classical fluids", Advances in Physics '''28''' pp. 143-200 (1979) ] | ||
[[Category: Confined systems]] | [[Category: Confined systems]] |
Revision as of 13:58, 4 December 2007
An interface is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. The cost in terms of the Helmholtz energy to create such a structure is known as the the surface tension. The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system.
Interfaces are subject to thermal noise, which leads to thermal capillary waves. See also diffusion at interfaces.