Gibbs--Thomson relation

The Gibbs--Thomson relation shifts the equilibrium chemical potential or composition at a curved interface by an amount proportional to its mean curvature. Small droplets therefore have a larger equilibrium solubility than flat interfaces.

Curvature depresses the equilibrium melting temperature of solid convex into liquid. Here $\mathcal{K}$ is the sum of principal curvatures, equal to twice a common convention for mean curvature, and $T_m$ is absolute temperature. The coefficient uses solid-liquid surface energy, mass density and latent heat. This stabilizes fine corrugations of a solidification front.