Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
09:31
Surface Properties of Synthesized Nanoporous Carbon and Silica Matrices
Published on: March 27, 2019
8.9K
Structural properties of dense hard sphere packings
Boris A Klumov1, Yuliang Jin, Hernán A Makse
1Joint Institute for High Temperatures RAS , Izhorskaya str. 13/2, Moscow, 125412, Russia.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|August 8, 2014
Summary
We numerically studied hard sphere packings, revealing a disorder-order phase transition at random close packing density. Above this density, structures evolve from 3D clusters to planar layers, with icosahedral symmetry persisting briefly.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Understanding the structural properties of matter at high densities is crucial.
- Mechanically stable packings of hard spheres (HS) serve as a fundamental model system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate the structural characteristics of mechanically stable hard sphere packings.
- To identify phase transitions and evolving structural motifs with increasing packing fraction.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of hard sphere systems.
- Analysis of orientational order parameters to quantify structural order.
- Examination of particle arrangements across a range of packing fractions (0.53 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.72).
Main Results:
- A clear disorder-order phase transition was observed at the random close packing (RCP) density (ϕc ≃ 0.64).
- Above RCP, crystalline nuclei form 3D-like clusters that transform into planar-like layers with further densification.
- Particles exhibiting icosahedral symmetry were found only in a narrow density range near RCP.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies a distinct phase transition in hard sphere packings.
- Structural evolution from disordered states to ordered crystalline arrangements is characterized.
- The transient existence of icosahedral symmetry near random close packing is highlighted.
More Related Videos
10:10Three-Dimensional Particle Shape Analysis Using X-ray Computed Tomography: Experimental Procedure and Analysis Algorithms for Metal Powders
Published on: December 4, 2020
1.1K
10:35Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials
Published on: September 26, 2014
11.2K
Related Concept Videos
02:37Metallic Solids
16.4K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and...
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and...
16.4K
00:56Density
16.7K
Density is an important characteristic of substances, crucial in determining whether an object sinks or floats in a fluid. Its SI unit is kg/m3, and its cgs unit is g/cm3. The density of an object helps in identifying its composition, and also reveals information about the phase of the matter and its substructure. The densities of liquids and solids are roughly comparable, consistent with the fact that their atoms are in close contact. However, gases have much lower densities than liquids and...
16.7K
02:26Molecular Comparison of Gases, Liquids, and Solids
50.0K
Particles in a solid are tightly packed together (fixed shape) and often arranged in a regular pattern; in a liquid, they are close together with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape); in a gas, they are far apart with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape). Particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions (cannot flow) and do not generally move in relation to one another; in a liquid, they move past each other (can flow) but remain in essentially constant contact; in a gas, they move...
50.0K
02:22Structures of Solids
17.7K
Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.7K
02:54Molecular and Ionic Solids
16.4K
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
16.4K
01:10First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
6.8K
Newton's first law of motion states that a body at rest remains at rest, or if in motion, remains in motion at constant velocity, unless acted on by a net external force. It also states that there must be a cause for any change in velocity (a change in either magnitude or direction) to occur. This cause is a net external force. For example, consider what happens to an object sliding along a rough horizontal surface. The object quickly grinds to a halt, due to the net force of friction. If...
6.8K