A longstanding problem in physics has finally been cracked by Professor Kostya Trachenko of Queen Mary University of London’s School of Physical and Chemical Sciences. His research, published within the Physical Review E, unveils a general theory for predicting melting points, a fundamental property whose understanding has baffled scientists for over a century.
For a long time, our understanding of the three basic states of matter — solids, liquids, and gases — relied on temperature-pressure phase diagrams. These diagrams depict the conditions under which each state exists, with distinct lines separating them. Nevertheless, one crucial line, the melting line — marking the transition between solid and liquid — lacked a universal description.
Professor Trachenko’s theory bridges this gap. By developing a brand new framework that includes recent advancements in liquid theory, he demonstrates that melting lines could be described by an easy parabolic equation. This not only offers a practical tool for predicting melting points but additionally reveals a surprising universality across different material types. This universality comes from observing that parameters within the parabolic equation are governed by fundamental physical constants resembling the Planck constant and electron mass and charge.
“The simplicity and universality of this result are particularly exciting,” explains Professor Trachenko. “It suggests that melting, despite its complexities, exhibits a fundamental unity across diverse systems, from noble gases to metals.”
This discovery holds significant implications beyond theoretical physics. Accurate prediction of melting points is crucial in materials science, with applications starting from drug development to designing advanced materials and other areas where predicting phase diagrams is vital. Professor Trachenko’s work paves the way in which for a deeper understanding of phase transitions and the creation of recent materials with tailored properties.
