what is metastable system?
Asked by
| 15th Jun, 2008,
10:44: AM
Metastability is a general scientific concept which describes state of delicate equilibrium. A system is in a metastable state when it is in equilibrium (not changing with time) but is susceptible to fall into lower-energy states with only slight interaction. It is analogous to being balanced precisely at the top of a round hill, rather than safely at the bottom of a valley.
To understand metastability supersaturated solutions take following example:
In air that is supersaturated with water, water droplets may precipitate upon being disturbed.Thus a change of state of a supersaturated solution can take place on slight changing of conditions of temperature,pressure and volume.
Answered by
| 20th Jun, 2008,
08:10: PM
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