What is the significance of the critical point in phase diagrams?

What is the significance of the critical point in phase diagrams?

Step 1: Understand what a phase diagram is. A phase diagram shows the different states (solid, liquid, gas) of a substance at various temperatures and pressures.
Step 2: Identify the liquid-gas phase boundary on the diagram. This is the line that separates the liquid phase from the gas phase.
Step 3: Locate the critical point on the phase diagram. This is a specific point where the liquid-gas boundary ends.
Step 4: Recognize the significance of the critical point. Beyond this point, you cannot distinguish between liquid and gas; they become a supercritical fluid.
Step 5: Understand that at the critical point, properties of the liquid and gas phases merge, meaning they behave similarly.

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