A comparative method for various approaches to the isothermal equation of state

Various three-parameter approximations of the isothermal equation of state of matter can be systematized and, in consequence, mutually compared by using the uniquely associated relationships between first and second pressure derivatives of the bulk modulus of any substance at zero pressure. Thus quantitative or, at least qualitative information on the capability of such approximations for volumetric contractions down to about 0.5 can be obtained directly. This comparative method will be discussed with the aid of 19 approximations considered in high-pressure physics and geophysics. Its application to the Grüneisen parameter analysis yields a number of additional practical approximations.