| Issue |
J. Phys. Colloques
Volume 48, Number C1, Mars 1987
VIIth Symposium on the Physics and Chemistry of Ice
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|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | C1-679 - C1-680 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:19871106 | |
J. Phys. Colloques 48 (1987) C1-679-C1-680
DOI: 10.1051/jphyscol:19871106
ON THERMODYNAMICS OF THE BOUNDARY LAYER AROUND CURVED PHASE INTERFACES BETWEEN ICE WATER
T. ALTSInstitut für Theorie der Kondensierten Materie, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-1000 Berlin 33, F.R.G.
Abstract
Real phase interfaces between ice and water form thin boundary-layers across which all bulk fields experience smooth though rapid changes. The extreme slipperyness of ice at skating and the peculiarities of regelation phenomena can be understood by the existence of a fluid-like boundary-layer between ice and steel (1) (but not with pressure melting !). The thickness of the fluid-like film between plain ice and air in phase-equilibrium just below the normal melting point is about 100 Å ; it decreases with decreasing temperature (2). It is still an open question, whether the surface tension of a small ice inclusion in water is the same as that for a small water inclusion in ice and whether the surface tension is curvature dependent. Moreover, discussions of nuclei stability use macroscopic concepts (for instance independence of surface tension on curvature) which may fail at very small dimensions. In this case explanations of phenomena like superheating and undercooling must be revised.