What happens at the melting temperature?

At the melting temperature, the solid and liquid phases coexist in equilibrium. This point is defined as the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, and it occurs when the thermal energy supplied to the solid overcomes the intermolecular forces holding the solid structure together, allowing the particles to move freely and transition into the liquid state.

During melting, both phases are present: some particles remain in the solid state while others have absorbed enough energy to transition into the liquid state. The temperature remains constant during this phase change, despite the added heat, until all the solid has melted into the liquid.

Understanding this concept is crucial in thermodynamics as it illustrates phase transitions and the conditions under which different states of matter can exist together. Each phase transition point, such as melting and boiling, represents a specific temperature at which a unique balance between the phases occurs, enhancing our understanding of material properties and energy exchange during phase changes.