Developments and advancements have recently been made on the nanoscale leve
l, particularly in the area of the thermal sciences. Since continuum mechan
ics fail in such phenomena, a demand for molecular level analysis has been
created. Molecular dynamics simulation has proven to be a viable means of m
icroscopic analysis, due primarily to the advanced design of high speed com
puters. A molecular dynamics simulation is performed to analyse the limits
of macroscopic behaviour of an isolated evaporating liquid sodium droplet.
Lennard-Jones 12.6 potential is used to determine the intermolecular forces
. Details of the simulation are presented as well as Variations in properti
es obtained from the simulation. Parameters such as the bulk liquid density
, vapour density, vapour pressure, surface tension, and interfacial surface
thickness with respect to temperature are determined. Comparisons of the s
imulation results to the limiting macroscopic properties are made and trend
s in the data are discussed. (C) Elsevier, Paris.