Smälter

Smälter is a Swedish word that translates to "melts" in English. It describes the physical process by which a solid substance transforms into a liquid state due to an increase in temperature. This phenomenon is a fundamental concept in chemistry and physics, observed across a wide range of materials including ice, metals, and various chemical compounds.

The temperature at which a substance melts is known as its melting point. This point is a characteristic property of a pure substance under standard atmospheric pressure. For example, water melts at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), while iron melts at a much higher temperature, around 1538 degrees Celsius (2800 degrees Fahrenheit).

The process of melting involves breaking the intermolecular bonds that hold the solid structure together. As heat energy is absorbed, the particles within the solid gain kinetic energy and begin to vibrate more vigorously. Eventually, they gain enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction and move more freely, transitioning into the liquid phase.

Smälter can also be used in a figurative sense, similar to how "melts" is used in English. It can describe something becoming less distinct, fading away, or a feeling of warmth and tenderness. For instance, one might say that the snow smälter in the spring sun, or that their heart smälter when they see a cute animal. The context generally clarifies whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended.