Challenging Thermodynamics: A New Study on Superheating Gold
UPSC Prelims Subject
Science and Technology (Physics - Thermodynamics, States of Matter; Material Science).
Key Highlights from the News
A new study published in 'Nature' journal found that if gold is heated very rapidly, it can remain in a solid state even at temperatures much higher than its melting point.
The phenomenon where a substance remains in a solid state above its melting point is called superheating.
This finding challenges the old theory of "entropy catastrophe," which stated that there was a maximum limit to superheating.
Researchers rapidly heated gold nanofilms using high-speed laser pulses and confirmed its solid state using X-ray radiation.
This discovery will help engineers design new materials that can operate in extreme conditions (for example, on planets with harsh atmospheres).
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