Fusion vs Melting?

[Crookster]

Just wondering what the difference betweeen fusion and melting are? I just had a question in TBR (Gen Chem, Chapter on phase changes, passage-1, Q-6) that had both as answer choices and the answer was Fusion not melting because it turned a liquid to solid. I thought a liquid to solid was freezing/crystallization and solid to liquid was melting/fusion? Just a little confused now about the relationships.

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[dudewheresmymd]

The enthalpy of fusion also known as (latent) heat of fusion is the change in enthalpy resulting from heating a given quantity of a substance to change its state from a solid to a liquid. The temperature at which this occurs is the melting point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthalpy_of_fusion

 

[Lunasly]

The enthalpy of fusion also known as (latent) heat of fusion is the change in enthalpy resulting from heating a given quantity of a substance to change its state from a solid to a liquid. The temperature at which this occurs is the melting point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthalpy_of_fusion

So this confirms what the OP says. I was also under the impression that fusion and melting are the same thing. Likewise, freezing and crystallization are synonymous.

Can anyone confirm? I just did this question in TBR as well.

 

[gettheleadout]

So this confirms what the OP says. I was also under the impression that fusion and melting are the same thing. Likewise, freezing and crystallization are synonymous.

Can anyone confirm? I just did this question in TBR as well.

Could we get an exact transcription of the question and answer explanation from your TBR book? "Melting" and "fusion" are indeed synonymous and "freezing" describes the phase change from liquid to solid (source).

 

[Lunasly]

Could we get an exact transcription of the question and answer explanation from your TBR book? "Melting" and "fusion" are indeed synonymous and "freezing" describes the phase change from liquid to solid (source).

The question is with regard to cloud seeding and the question asks which phase exemplifies this process. The answer is freezing, but that is not an option. The 4 answer choices include vaporization, melting, fusion, and sublimation. The back of the book claims that the formation of a solid from a liquid is termed fusion.

 

[gettheleadout]

The question is with regard to cloud seeding and the question asks which phase exemplifies this process. The answer is freezing, but that is not an option. The 4 answer choices include vaporization, melting, fusion, and sublimation. The back of the book claims that the formation of a solid from a liquid is termed fusion.

Then yes, it appears the book is incorrect. Freezing is the correct answer and is not present as an option. If nothing else, neither fusion nor melting can be correct as they are synonymous and there must be one best answer.

 

[Lunasly]

Thanks, gettheleadout 🙂