GLOSSARY

Alkemade Line: a line constructed on a ternary phase diagram ….

is defined in the 1st part of the Alkemade Theorum

Binary System a system involving two components

e.g. Anorthite - Diopside

Mg2SiO4 - Fe2SiO4

Closed system: a system in which the matter is locked and the system
changes only by receiving energy from the external
environment or by yielding energy to it

i.e. energy but not matter may enter or leave a closed system

Complex Phase
Diagram a diagram representing a system in which intermediate
compounds are present

Condensed Phase Rule version of the phase rule which is to be applied if one
variable (usually P) is fixed:

P+F=C+1

Congruent Melting synonym isothermal melting

Critical point: a point on a P,T diagram beyond which a substance cannot

be considered as either a liquid or vapour (it is a fluid).

Degree of Freedom (F) the maximum number of intensive parameters (P, T or X)

which can change independently of one another without
altering the number of co-existing phases in the system.

Disequilibrium: the system is unstable, in a state of change.

the time taken to reach equilibrium may be short or long,

depending on the system concerned.
Equilibrium: the lowest energy state of a system consistent with imposed
constant conditions of P, T, and X (composition). There is no
change or tendency to change in the proportions of the
phases.

all systems strive to reach equilibrium.

a system may be described as exhibiting stable, metastable,

or unstable equilibrium.

End-member material which may be mixed with other end-members to

make intermediate compositions.

Systems are sometimes described in terms of number of end-members rather

than number of components.

Eutectic (from the Greek “easily melted”) the lowest temperature

point on the liquidus at which melt is in equilibrium with two
or more solid phases.

The chemistry and the T of the eutectic are invariant, producing, therefore, a fixed
composition of melt.

Fluid: a term generally employed for a substance that has properties between those of
a liquid and gaseous state.

Gas: molecules are only weakly attracted to one another. Viscosity is very low – there
is no long range order of particles.

a gas spontaneously fills any volume to which it has access.

Haplomagma: (from the Greek “simple magma”) a simplified representation

of a magmatic composition consisting of only a small number
of components

e.g. the system anorthite - diopside is a commonly used

basalt haplomagma

Heterothermal Melting a solid melts to form a liquid of different composition and a

solid of different composition: As ↔ Bl + Cs

Incongruent Melting synonym heterothermal melting

Invariant Point location on a phase diagram having no degree of freedom,
F=0

Isopleth a vertical line drawn on a binary phase diagram to represent

a constant composition (X).

It is a construction of great value in representing the constant bulk composition of

a system existing in a closed system, e.g. during equilibrium
crystallization and equilibrium (batch) melting.

Isothermal Melting a solid melts to a liquid of the same composition: As ↔ Al

The components of a system always melt isothermally.

Isothermal Section section constructed through a phase diagram representing a

constant temperature.

Liquid: has properties of bonding and atomic periodicity intermediate

between those of solids and gases. It is condensed like a
solid and has a specific molar volume, yet it has low enough
viscosity to flow and change shape with time.

Liquidus line (on a binary diagram) or surface (ternary diagram) along

which compositions of melt are in equilibrium with a
crystalline phase.

the locii of temperature points on a phase diagram at which the first crystal forms
during cooling of the melt.

the locii of temperature points on a phase diagram at which the last solid (crystal)
melts during heating of a solid rock.

Melt name commonly given to describe the liquid (normally silicate) in an igneous
phase diagram

Metastable equilibrium: collection of phases which may appear to be at equilibrium

when influenced by minor environmental changes, but, in fact
is not at the lowest energy state.

Model system: one which contains only a small number of the chemical
constituents of natural rocks
 (e.g. MgO – SiO2
MgO – CaO – SiO2

Open system: a system which may exchange both energy and matter with
the external environment

i.e. both energy and matter may leave or be added to an

open system

Phase Rule simple equation relating the number of phases (P) present in
a system at equilibrium to the number of components (C) and
to the variance or number of degrees of freedom (F)
possessed by the system:

P+F=C+2

Phase: any part of a system that is physically distinct and

mechanically separate from other parts of the system. Is a
chemical entity – some area of space which has a coherent
structure

e.g. crystals, liquid, gas.

Phase diagram: graphic representation of phases present in a system as a

function of imposed conditions of P, T and X.

most phase diagrams refer to stable equilibrium

assemblages.

P-T Diagram two-dimensional phase diagram illustrating equilibrium in a

system with respect to variation in pressure (P) (x-axis) and
temperature (T) (y-axis). Frequently used to illustrate the
stability ranges of mineral phases under metamorphic
conditions.

Quaternary System: a system involving four components (C = 4)

e.g. the basalt tetrahedron ……..

Reaction a change in the number or identity of phase(s) as a result of

changing P, T and X
 e.g. water ↔ ice,
kyanite ↔ sillimanite,
CaCO3 ↔ CaO + CO2

Simple Phase
Diagram: a diagram representing a system in which the components
are the only solid (crystal) phases present

Simple substance: a substance that when melting gives rise to only a liquid of
identical composition

conversely, when liquid is cooled it crystallizes to a single solid of identical

composition

e.g. H2O
lead (Pb)

Simple system: see Model System

Solid: has strong bonding and a high degree of 3-D atomic periodicity. A solid has very
high viscosity and thus possesses a coherent shape that will
modify only slowly, or not at all, with time.

Solidus line (on a binary diagram) or surface (ternary diagram) along

which the compositions of one or more crystalline phases are
in equilibrium with the melt (liquid).

Stable equilibrium: the most stable collection of phases in a sample at constant

P, T, X conditions.

a system is said to be stable when at equilibrium.

System: any part of the Universe isolated for the purpose of study.

In the current study unit, a batch of magma, a magma

chamber, or a sample run in an experiment.

Ternary System: a system involving three components (C = 3)

e.g. the feldspars KAlSi3O8 - NaAlSi3O8 - Ca2 Al2Si2O6

Unary System a system involving one component (C = 1)

e.g. H2O
Al2O5

X: symbol used to denote composition

ρ symbol used to denote density