Phase Transition and Surface Tension in the Quasichemical Approximation

Abstract

The statistical formulation of phase transition is derived for a three-dimensional Ising model using Guggenheim's approximation. As the temperature approaches the critical temperature, the difference equations governing the transition can be replaced by differential equations, easily integrated. Comparisons are made with the Cahn-Hilliard continuum model, and criticisms of that model by Widom are also examined.