smältperiod

Smältperiod refers to the duration of time during which a substance exists in its liquid state after melting and before freezing. This period is characterized by the substance being at or above its melting point but below its freezing point. During the smältperiod, the substance's temperature typically remains constant at its melting point until all of it has liquefied, assuming external heat is continuously supplied. Once entirely molten, its temperature can then rise above the melting point if heating continues. Conversely, as a liquid cools, it will eventually reach its freezing point, and the smältperiod ends when solidification begins. The length of the smältperiod is dependent on several factors including the amount of substance, the rate of heat transfer, and the specific heat capacity of the substance in both its solid and liquid phases. For many common substances, the melting and freezing points are the same, meaning the smältperiod occurs within a specific temperature range.