School of Physics and Technology of University of Kharkiv now being carried by the department. The department is considered to be the most difficult department at the school. Students of the department study special courses on elementary particles, quantum electrodynamics, general relativity, astrophysics, theoretical nuclear physics, solid-state theory, and plasma physics. In addition, the professors of the department teach most of the bachelors-level mathematics and theoretical physics courses at the school. The department was created in 1937 by Anton Valter. The name of the department changed several times: "Department of Physics of the Atomic Nucleus", "Department of Physics of the Atomic Nucleus and Electronics", "Department of Electronic Processes", "Department
Metastability preferred ground state by (possibly large) barriers in the potential energy. During a metastable state of finite lifetime, all state-describing parameters reach and hold stationary values. In isolation: The metastability concept originated in the physics of first-order phase transitions. It then acquired new meaning in the study of aggregated subatomic particles (in atomic nuclei or in atoms) or in molecules, macromolecules or clusters of atoms and molecules. Later, it was borrowed for the study of decision-making and information transmission systems. Many complex natural and man-made systems can demonstrate metastability. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics is a branch of physics that studies the dynamics