all their efforts came to naught; they did not succeed. However, very recently
some synthetic diamonds have been obtained under high temperatures and
high pressures.”
“Oh!” the class exclaimed, surprised and in utter disbelief.
“These two forms or phases have very different properties,” continued the
professor. “However, for all intents and purposes, we are not interested in
carbon. Although I might add that I am personally very much interested in
diamonds!”
The class roared with laughter. But, said the professor, it was time for
serious business again. Alice, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, saw
another side to Professor Holmes. “He is a nice man, after all, and funny too,”
she mused.
“Let’s go back to water. What you see on the screen is the phase diagram
of water. Actually, this is only a small part of the phase diagram of water —
the low-pressure part. It is called a ‘phase diagram’ because it demarcates the
regions of the various phases of water, i.e., the various forms or appearances
of water such as vapor, liquid and solid.”
Gathering her courage, Alice raised her hand to ask a question.
“Yes, young lady,” said the professor.
Alice's Adventures