3.2.7

Melting and Boiling

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Changes of State

Objects can change state from one state of matter to another. Melting and boiling are examples of changes of state.

Illustrative background for Melting - solid to liquidIllustrative background for Melting - solid to liquid ?? "content

Melting - solid to liquid

  • If we heat a solid, the solid particles vibrate more energetically, until they have enough energy to overcome the forces between them.
  • This is when the solid melts (becomes a liquid).
  • The temperature needed for this to happen is the melting point.
  • Melting is sometimes also called fusion.
Illustrative background for Boiling - liquid to gasIllustrative background for Boiling - liquid to gas ?? "content

Boiling - liquid to gas

  • If we heat a liquid, the liquid particles move more energetically until they have enough energy to escape completely from the forces between them.
  • The particles become a gas and move completely freely.
  • The temperature needed for this to happen is the boiling point. Boiling can be called vaporisation.
Illustrative background for Condensation - gas to liquidIllustrative background for Condensation - gas to liquid ?? "content

Condensation - gas to liquid

  • When the temperature of a gas decreases to the boiling point, the strength of the forces between particles increases and the particles condense to become a liquid.
  • For the same material, its boiling point is the same as its condensing point.
Illustrative background for Solidifying (Freezing) - liquid to solidIllustrative background for Solidifying (Freezing) - liquid to solid ?? "content

Solidifying (Freezing) - liquid to solid

  • When the temperature of a liquid decreases to the melting point, the strength of the forces between particles increases and the liquid solidifies to become a solid.
  • For the same material, its melting point is the same as its freezing point.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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