What is the Difference Between Fusion and Solidification?

The main difference between fusion and solidification lies in the processes they describe:

• Fusion: This is the process in which a solid changes into its liquid state. Energy is absorbed during this process, and it is also known as melting.
• Solidification: This is the process in which a liquid changes into its solid state. Energy is released during this process.

In summary:

• Fusion is the conversion of a solid into a liquid, absorbing energy.
• Solidification is the conversion of a liquid into a solid, releasing energy.

These processes are opposite to each other, with fusion turning a solid into a liquid and solidification turning a liquid into a solid. The energy required for fusion is called the enthalpy of fusion (ΔHfus), while the energy released during solidification is called the enthalpy of solidification (ΔHsolid).

Comparative Table: Fusion vs Solidification

The key difference between fusion and solidification is that fusion is the conversion of a solid into its liquid form, while solidification is the conversion of a liquid into a solid. Here is a table summarizing the differences between fusion and solidification:

Both fusion and solidification are phase transitions of matter, but they are opposite processes. The energy required for fusion (melting) is called the heat of fusion (ΔHfus), while the energy released during solidification is called the heat of solidification (ΔHsolid).