Unveiling the interdisciplinary character of negative pressure

Abstract

We explore the concept of negative pressure and its relevance in a variety of physical contexts: the expansion of the universe, mixture theory, cavitation, and the capillary effect in plants. Using thermodynamic arguments, we discuss the intricate connection between negative pressure and negative thermal expansion. We highlight the fact that metastable states and competing phases are often associated with the emergence of negative pressure. We also propose a new link between the effective Gruneisen parameter and nucleation theory.