melting point
Definition
The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from a solid to a liquid. This happens when the molecules in the solid gain enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction between them.
For example, the melting point of ice is 0 degrees Celsius. This means that ice will melt when it is heated to 0 degrees Celsius.
The melting point of a substance can be different depending on the pressure. For example, the melting point of ice is lower at high pressure. This is because the pressure forces the molecules in the ice closer together, which makes it easier for them to overcome the forces of attraction between them.
How can the word be used?
The melting point of ice is 0 degrees Celsius.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- melting point.
- liquefaction point.
- fusion point.
Adjective:
- melting-point.
Verb:
- melt.
- liquefy.
- fuse.
Etymology
The word "melting point" comes from the Old English word "meltan," which means "to become liquid through heat." The word "meltan" is also the source of the modern English words "melt" and "molten.".
The word "melting point" first appeared in English in the 17th century. It is a compound word, made up of the words "melt" and "point." The word "point" in this context means "a specific temperature.".
So, the word "melting point" literally means "the temperature at which a substance melts.".
Question
What is the melting point of something?