Studying long-range correlations in a liquid–vapor-phase transition

• Published in: Physica A 2004-10, Vol.342 (1), p.322-328
• Main Authors: Zebende, G.F., da Silva, M.V.S., Rosa, A.C.P., Alves, A.S., de Jesus, J.C.O., Moret, M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DFA; Long-range power-law correlation; Phase transition
• ISSN: 0378-4371; 1873-2119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2004.01.071

In this paper we study long-range correlations due to temperature-driven liquid–vapor-phase transition in distilled water. Using a very simple experimental setup, we recorded the sound waves produced by boiling water, increasing the water temperature from liquid up to vapor. The long-range correlation exponent α has been calculated via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis in this time series. In the liquid phase the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis results give an exponent α∼0.6 for the underlined time series. The scaling exponent increases when the temperature becomes close to transition temperature T B . At the transition temperature an exponent α becomes closer to 1.1, which indicates a more persistent behavior. These results are compared to similar behavior observed in X-ray stellar binary systems. In this context, we propose a simple link between liquid–vapor-phase transition and accretion mass rate.