Statistical Mechanics of Condensing Systems. IV

It is shown that the theoretical equations of the preceding paper lead to the prediction that, in a finite density and temperature range above the temperature of disappearance of the meniscus, a range of microscopic densities are equally stable, and in a sealed bomb different densities may be observed at a given temperature and average density. The densities observed in various parts of the bomb will depend in a predictable way on its previous history. This is in agreement with the published results of O. Maass on systems in the neighborhood of the critical point.