jäädytysprosessin

Jäädytysprosessi, or freezing process, refers to the physical transformation of a liquid into a solid by lowering its temperature. This occurs when the kinetic energy of the liquid's molecules decreases to a point where the intermolecular forces become dominant, causing them to arrange into a fixed crystalline structure. The temperature at which this phase transition happens is known as the freezing point.

For pure substances, the freezing point is a distinct and constant temperature. However, for mixtures and solutions, the freezing point is typically lower than that of the pure solvent and can occur over a range of temperatures. This phenomenon is known as freezing point depression and is a colligative property, meaning it depends on the concentration of solute particles rather than their identity. For instance, adding salt to water lowers its freezing point, which is why salt is used to de-ice roads in winter.

The rate at which a substance freezes can influence the final structure of the solid. Rapid freezing often leads to smaller crystals, while slower freezing can result in larger, more defined crystals. This distinction is important in various applications, from food preservation, where rapid freezing helps maintain texture and quality, to materials science, where controlled freezing can be used to engineer specific properties. The energy released during the freezing process is called the latent heat of fusion.