What is the process called when a solid turns into a liquid?

The process by which a solid turns into a liquid is called melting. This transformation occurs when the temperature of the solid increases to its melting point, causing its particles to gain enough energy to overcome the forces holding them in a rigid structure. As these particles begin to move more freely, the solid changes into a liquid state.

In contrast to melting, vaporization refers to the transition of a liquid into a gas, which happens at a temperature known as the boiling point. Freezing is the reverse of melting, where a liquid solidifies into a solid as it loses heat. Condensation is the process where a gas turns into a liquid, typically when the gas cools down. Understanding these terms helps clarify the different phases of matter and their transitions.