Fenômenos críticos: 150 anos desde Cagniard de la Tour

Abstract

Critical phenomena were discovered by Cagniard de la Tour in 1822, who died 150 years ago. In order to mark this anniversary, the context and the early history of his discovery is reviewed. We then follow with a brief sketch of the history of critical phenomena, indicating the main lines of development until the present date. Copyright by the Sociedade Brasileira de Física. Printed in Brazil.