Self-organization of matter

Abstract

The traditional characterization of forms or states of matter which can be easily distinguished (solid, liquid and gaseous) is focused on differences rather than on common principles of organization of matter in general. The attempt to describe continuous changes in the organization of particulate matter leads to the possibility of using the angle of internal friction as a parameter, allowing, together with other parameters, a unified description of existential forms of matter and conditions of their existence. The self-organization of matter observed from this point of view can explain, for example, the origin of landforms created both by natural forces and human activity. It can contribute to the solution of technical problems in the field of particulate matter and help in the explanation of phenomena in both inorganic and organic nature.