Theory of Critical Phenomena

The Theory of Critical Phenomena describes how materials behave near phase transitions, like when water turns to steam. During these transitions, the properties of a material change dramatically and unpredictably. Near the critical point, tiny changes can cause large effects, and patterns become self-similar across different scales—this is called scale invariance. The theory uses mathematical models to understand these behaviors, revealing universal behaviors among different substances. It helps scientists understand complex systems in physics, chemistry, and beyond, highlighting how order and disorder evolve at critical thresholds.