Classical nucleation theory: nuclei compete between bulk free energy gain and surface penalty. Watch the nucleation barrier, critical radius, and Zeldovich nucleation rate emerge from first principles.
Classical Nucleation Theory: ΔG(r) = -4π/3 r³ |Δμ|/v_m + 4πr²γ. Critical radius r* = 2γv_m/|Δμ|, barrier ΔG* = 16πγ³v_m²/(3Δμ²). Nucleation rate J ∝ exp(-ΔG*/kT) — exponentially sensitive to supercooling. Drives crystallization, cloud formation, cavitation.