Freezing

Definition

Freezing is the phase transition in which a liquid turns into a solid when its temperature is lowered to or below its freezing point. This process involves the release of latent heat and occurs at a specific temperature for pure substances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure is 0°C (32°F).
2. Freezing involves the release of latent heat, known as the latent heat of fusion.
3. During freezing, the temperature of the substance remains constant until the entire liquid has solidified.
4. Impurities in a liquid can lower its freezing point, a phenomenon known as freezing point depression.
5. The process of supercooling occurs when a liquid is cooled below its normal freezing point without solidification.

Review Questions

• What happens to the temperature of a substance during the phase transition from liquid to solid?
• How does the presence of impurities affect the freezing point of a substance?
• What is latent heat of fusion and how is it related to the process of freezing?

Related terms

Latent Heat:

The amount of heat required to change the phase of a substance without changing its temperature.

Supercooling: The process where a liquid is cooled below its normal freezing point without turning into a solid.

Freezing Point Depression: The lowering of a liquid's freezing point due to the presence of dissolved substances.