Melting (Fusion)
Melting, or fusion, is a crucial physical process where a substance transitions from a solid state to a liquid state. This transition occurs at a specific temperature known as the melting point.
The amount of heat energy required to change a substance from solid to liquid without changing its temperature is termed the latent heat of fusion. The mathematical representation of this phenomenon can be expressed as:
$$Q = mL_f$$
Where:
- Q is the heat energy (in Joules, J),
- m is the mass of the substance (in kilograms, kg), and
- L_f is the latent heat of fusion for the substance (in Joules per kilogram, J/kg).
This section not only highlights the latent heat of fusion but emphasizes that this process occurs at a constant temperature, distinguishing it from regular heating or cooling processes where temperature changes directly correlate with heat energy absorption or release. Understanding melting is essential in various fields such as chemistry, physics, and engineering, as it affects how materials behave under different conditions.