Metastability (Noun)
Meaning
The quality of a physical system that persists in its existing equilibrium when undisturbed (or only slightly disturbed) but able to pass to a more stable equilibrium when sufficiently disturbed.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The crystal lattice of the metal alloy exhibited metastability, retaining its structure under normal conditions but changing rapidly when subjected to high pressure.
- Metastability is a characteristic of some supersaturated solutions, which can remain in a state of apparent stability until a tiny disturbance triggers rapid crystallization.
- The chemical reaction exhibited metastability, with the reactants remaining in a state of temporary equilibrium until a spark triggered a rapid transition to a more stable product.
- In quantum mechanics, metastability can arise when a system becomes trapped in a local energy minimum, from which it can escape to a lower energy state only when disturbed by an external perturbation.
- A lake's water level can exhibit metastability, remaining stable for long periods before a sufficient increase in precipitation triggers a sudden overflow and a transition to a new equilibrium level.