cristaliza

Cristaliza is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb cristalizar, meaning to form crystals or to become crystalline. The form “cristaliza” corresponds to the third person singular present indicative (él/ella cristaliza) and to the tú affirmative imperative. In a broader sense, the term describes a physical process by which a dissolved substance comes out of solution or a molten state to form a solid crystalline phase.

In science and industry, crystallization is used to purify compounds, isolate products, or create crystalline materials. In chemistry and pharmacology, it helps obtain pure substances from solutions. In geology and mineralogy, crystallization occurs as melts or supersaturated solutions cool or evaporate, yielding minerals and crystalline rocks. In materials science and metallurgy, it enables the production of crystalline alloys and ceramics. In the food industry, crystallization affects textures and stability in syrups, sugars, chocolates, and jams.

Factors influencing crystallization include temperature, concentration, rate of cooling or evaporation, the presence of impurities, solvent properties, and mixing. Controlling these variables allows scientists to tailor crystal size, habit, and purity.

Etymology: cristaliza derives from cristal (crystal) plus the suffix -izar, itself from Latin crystallis and Greek krystallos, via Medieval Latin crystallizare. See also crystallization and crystallize for related concepts.