In a heating curve, the second plateau typically represents the phase change from liquid to gas, which occurs during the process of boiling or vaporization.
Here’s a breakdown of the phases present during the second plateau:
-
Liquid Phase: Before the second plateau, the substance is in the liquid state (during the heating prior to the plateau).
-
Transition Phase (Boiling/Vaporization): During the plateau, the temperature remains constant as the liquid absorbs heat to overcome the intermolecular forces holding it together, resulting in phase transformation.
-
Gas Phase: After the plateau, once all the liquid has been converted to gas, the substance will continue to heat up and exist entirely in the gaseous state.
So, during the second plateau, the phases present are the liquid phase transitioning to the gas phase.