Melting

Melting 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. At the melting point, the ordering of ions or molecules in the solid breaks down to a less ordered state, and the solid melts to become a liquid.

Overview

The melting point of a substance depends on pressure and is usually specified at standard pressure. When considered as the temperature of the reverse change from liquid to solid, it is referred to as the freezing point or crystallization point. Because of the ability of some substances to supercool, the freezing point is not considered as a characteristic property of a substance. When the "characteristic freezing point" of a substance is determined, in fact the actual methodology is almost always "the principle of observing the disappearance rather than the formation of ice", that is, the melting point.

Melting in the Earth

Melting occurs in the Earth's mantle and crust. This is important in the mechanisms of plate tectonics and the cause of volcanism and earthquakes.

See also

• Fusion (physics)
• Heat of fusion
• Melting point
• Phase transition
• Sublimation (phase transition)
• Triple point
• Vitrification

References

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External links

• Melting and boiling points of elements, compounds and organic compounds
• Melting points of various materials

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