Second-order phase transition

A second-order phase transition occurs when a substance changes its state without a sudden change in structure or latent heat, often linked to the adjustment of order within the system. Unlike first-order transitions (like ice melting to water), second-order transitions, such as a material becoming superconductive, involve gradual changes in properties like heat capacity or magnetization. These changes happen at a precise temperature, marked by continuous changes in the order parameter, reflecting a shift in the underlying physical properties without a distinct phase boundary. Examples include the transition of water into a supercritical fluid.