Melting

Melting

Melting (pronunciation: /ˈmɛltɪŋ/) is a physical process that results in the phase transition of a substance from a solid to a liquid. This occurs when the internal energy of the solid increases, typically by the application of heat or pressure, which increases the substance's temperature to the melting point.

Etymology

The term "melting" comes from the Old English "meltan" which means to consume by fire or to dissolve.

Related Terms

• Phase transition: A change in the state of matter of a sample corresponding to a change in its properties.
• Solid: One of the four fundamental states of matter. It is characterized by structural rigidity and resistance to changes of shape or volume.
• Liquid: A nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure.
• Heat: Form of energy transferred from one body to another as a result of a difference in temperature or a change in phase.
• Pressure: The force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.
• Temperature: A physical quantity expressing hot and cold.
• Melting point: The temperature at which a solid will melt.

See Also

• Freezing
• Sublimation
• Deposition (phase transition)
• Evaporation
• Condensation

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Melting
• Wikipedia's article - Melting

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