04-09-2019, 08:19 PM
https://news.sky.com/story/scientists-di...e-11688492
Scientists have discovered a new state of matter that allows atoms to exist as both solid and liquid at the same time.
It was previously thought there were three states of matter: liquid, solid or gas.
Experts were unsure whether the new state - known as a "chain-melted state" - was its own distinct state of matter or simply atoms transitioning between two stages - whether solid, liquid or gas.
But powerful computer simulations and high-pressure and high-temperature tests carried out on metal potassium have now proven the former to be true.
Several other elements, including sodium, are also capable of existing in this new state, according to experts from the University of Edinburgh.
Freaky . I have heard of states of matter other than the usual three (for example, Bose-Einstein condensates), but those only occur under very extreme conditions.
Still, since it took so long to discover this one, I expect it'll be difficult to re-create and maintain, which I imagine will limit its applicability...
Scientists have discovered a new state of matter that allows atoms to exist as both solid and liquid at the same time.
It was previously thought there were three states of matter: liquid, solid or gas.
Experts were unsure whether the new state - known as a "chain-melted state" - was its own distinct state of matter or simply atoms transitioning between two stages - whether solid, liquid or gas.
But powerful computer simulations and high-pressure and high-temperature tests carried out on metal potassium have now proven the former to be true.
Several other elements, including sodium, are also capable of existing in this new state, according to experts from the University of Edinburgh.
Freaky . I have heard of states of matter other than the usual three (for example, Bose-Einstein condensates), but those only occur under very extreme conditions.
Still, since it took so long to discover this one, I expect it'll be difficult to re-create and maintain, which I imagine will limit its applicability...