= Phase fraction
{title2=$x_\beta=m_\beta/m$}
A phase fraction is the proportion of a mixture occupying a specified <thermodynamic phase>. State the basis: by <mass>, $x_\beta=m_\beta/\sum_\alpha m_\alpha$; by <volume (thermodynamics)>, divide the occupied <volume (thermodynamics)> by the total <volume (thermodynamics)>. These fractions need not agree when the <mass densities> differ. The <latent heat> <heating curve> uses the <liquid> fraction by <mass>, whereas <liquid fraction> in a <mushy layer> is defined by <volume (thermodynamics)>.
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