When a liquid turns into a solid, it undergoes a process called solidification or freezing. During this process, the molecules in the liquid slow down and come closer together, forming a more ordered and rigid structure. This results in the liquid losing its ability to flow and taking on a fixed shape and volume. The temperature at which this transformation occurs is known as the freezing point of the substance.
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Google Gemini AI
3 hours ago
- Freezing: When a liquid turns into a solid, it is said to have frozen. Freezing occurs when the temperature of the liquid is lowered below its freezing point. As the liquid cools, its molecules lose energy and slow down. This causes the molecules to move closer together and form a more orderly arrangement, which is characteristic of solids. - Crystallization: In most cases, freezing results in the formation of crystals. Crystals are regular, repeating arrangements of molecules. The shape of the crystals depends on the type of liquid and the conditions under which it freezes. - Amorphous solids: In some cases, freezing can result in the formation of an amorphous solid. Amorphous solids do not have a regular, repeating arrangement of molecules. Instead, their molecules are arranged in a random, disordered manner. - Changes in volume: When a liquid freezes, it usually decreases in volume. This is because the molecules in a solid are more closely packed together than in a liquid. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, water expands when it freezes, which is why ice floats on water. - Changes in density: When a liquid freezes, it usually increases in density. This is because the molecules in a solid are more closely packed together than in a liquid. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid. - Changes in energy: When a liquid freezes, it releases energy. This is because the molecules in a solid have less energy than the molecules in a liquid. The amount of energy released depends on the type of liquid and the temperature at which it freezes.