A qualitative boundary law and an abnormality relationship are formula
ted and their genetic link with the phenomenon of structural transitio
n is demonstrated. This phenomenon Includes phase transitions, dissoci
ation and ionization, turbulence, and explosion, The formulated relati
onships are used to indicate classes of possible nonequilibrium effect
s. (C) 11997 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7850(97)00504-1].