bráðnun

Bráðnun is an Icelandic term referring to the process of melting or thawing. It is commonly used in contexts related to ice, snow, and solid substances changing into a liquid state due to an increase in temperature. The word originates from the verb "bráðna," meaning to melt.

In meteorology and climatology, bráðnun is a key phenomenon, especially in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. It describes the seasonal melting of snow and glaciers, which has significant implications for water resources, sea level rise, and ecosystems. The rate of bráðnun is a critical indicator of climate change, with warmer temperatures leading to accelerated melting.

Beyond natural phenomena, bráðnun can also refer to the melting of man-made materials, such as ice used for cooling or industrial processes. The scientific principles governing bráðnun involve the absorption of heat energy, which increases the kinetic energy of the molecules within the substance until they can overcome the intermolecular forces holding them in a solid structure. This transition point is known as the melting point.