What is the process of melting?

The process of melting is accurately described as a physical change from a solid to a liquid that occurs when a solid is exposed to heat. During melting, the heat energy causes the molecules within the solid to gain kinetic energy, which results in the breaking of the rigid structure that characterizes a solid state. This transition allows the substance to flow and take on the shape of its container, indicating that it has transformed into a liquid.

This defintion distinguishes melting as a physical change rather than a chemical one. Chemical changes involve alterations to the molecular structure of a substance, whereas in the case of melting, the chemical composition remains the same; only the state of matter changes. Understanding this distinction is crucial for identifying processes in physical science and fire investigation, as the physical state of materials can affect their behavior in fire scenarios.