Why is fusion another name for melting?
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Why is fusion another name for melting?
I was curious why fusion and melting mean the same thing with regard to ΔHfus? Fusion and melting seem almost the opposite of each other seeing as how when something melts, some of the bonds in the solid break apart.
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Re: Why is fusion another name for melting?
It may have to do with the fact the etymology of the word fusion comes from the Latin "fundere" which means "melting together".
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Re: Why is fusion another name for melting?
You could also think about it in terms of the intermolecular bonds. In the gas phase, the molecules are too far apart to have any effect on each other but in the liquid phase, the molecules form intermolecular bonds that more or less hold the molecules together, thereby "fusing" them in a way.
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Re: Why is fusion another name for melting?
Abel Thomas 2C wrote:It may have to do with the fact the etymology of the word fusion comes from the Latin "fundere" which means "melting together".
I think this is correct. That's what my TA said during discussion
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Re: Why is fusion another name for melting?
You might also be able to think of it as fusion being the heat it takes to put together, which is the reverse and equal in absolute value to the heat it takes to break apart?
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