Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
Phase transition of supercooled water confined in cooperative two-state domain
Peizhao Li1, Haibao Lu1, Yong-Qing Fu2
1Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments Laboratory, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The question of 'what is the structure of water?' has been regarded as one of the major scientific conundrums in condensed-matter physics due to the complex phase behavior and condensed structure of supercooled water. Great effort has been made so far using both theoretical analysis based on various mathematical models and computer simulations such as molecular dynamics and first-principle. However, these theoretical and simulation studies often do not have strong evidences of condensed-matter physics to support. In this study, a cooperative domain model is formulated to describe the dynamic phase transition of supercooled water between supercooled water and amorphous ice, both of which are composed of low- and high-density liquid water. Free volume theory is initially employed to identify the working principle of dynamic phase transition and its connection to glass transition in the supercooled water. Then a cooperative two-state model is developed to characterize the dynamic anomalies of supercooled water, including density, viscosity and self-diffusion coefficient. Finally, the proposed model is verified using the experimental results reported in literature.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
States of Water
Water freezes when the intermolecular forces are greater than the kinetic energy. Unlike most other substances, water is less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state. This is because each water molecule can form...
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Phase Transitions
States of Matter and Phase Changes

