Classical Nucleation Theory

A thermodynamic and kinetic framework that models the formation rate of a new phase by treating nuclei as macroscopic embryos: the free‑energy cost ΔG(r) combines a bulk driving term (volume free‑energy change) and a positive interfacial term (surface tension), yielding a critical radius r* and barrier ΔG*; homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation treatments differ by lowered interfacial energy or