A mechanical model that exhibits first- and second-order phase transitions is analyzed. The possible configurations are found first by using Newtonian mechanics and second by determining the minimum of the effective potential energy taken from the Lagrangian. A comparison is made between the effective potential energy method and the Landau theory of phase transitions. Phase diagrams are obtained for the mechanical system and are compared with those of a ferromagnet.
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© 1997 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1997
American Association of Physics Teachers
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