In order for a substance to move between the states of matter; for example, to turn from a solid into a liquid, which is called fusion, or from a gas to a liquid (vaporization), energy must be gained or lost. The heat of fusion (symbolized Hfus) of a substance is the amount of energy that must be put into the substance for it to melt. For example, the heat of fusion of water is 6.01 kJ/mol, or in other terms, 80 cal/g. The heat of vaporization, not surprisingly, is the amount of energy needed to cause the transition from liquid to gas, and it is symbolized Hvap. You will not be required to memorize heat of fusion or vaporization values for the exam.
Changes in the states of matter are often shown on phase diagrams, and you will probably see at least one of two different types of phase diagrams on the SAT II Chemistry exam. Let’s start with the phase diagram for water. The phase diagram for water is a graph of pressure versus temperature. Each of the lines on the graph represents an equilibrium position, at which the substance is present in two states at once. For example, anywhere along the line that separates ice and water, melting and freezing are occurring simultaneously.
The intersection of all three lines is known as the triple point (represented by a dot and a T on the figure). At this point, all three phases of matter are in equilibrium with each other. Point X represents the critical point, and at the critical point and beyond, the substance is forever in the vapor phase.
This diagram allows us to explain strange phenomena, such as why water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes, for example. At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower, and this means that water can reach the boiling point at a lower temperature. Interestingly enough, water would boil at room temperature if the pressure was low enough!
One final note: If we put a liquid into a closed container, the evaporation of the liquid will cause an initial increase in the total pressure of the system, and then the pressure of the system will become a constant. The value of this final pressure is unique to each liquid and is known as the liquid’s vapor pressure. Water has a relatively low vapor pressure because it takes a lot of energy to break the hydrogen bonds so that molecules enter the gas phase. Water and other liquids that have low vapor pressures are said to be nonvolatile. Substances like rubbing alcohol and gasoline, which have relatively high vapor pressures, are said to be volatile.
Example
What happens to water when the pressure remains constant at 1 atm but the temperature changes from -10ºC to 75ºC?
Explanation
Looking at the phase change diagram for water and following the dashed line at 1 atm, you can see that water would begin as a solid (ice) and melt at 0ºC. All of the water would be in liquid form by the time the temperature reached 75ºC.
