undercooling
Below freezing, unfrozen
Undercooling is cooling a liquid below its freezing point without it becoming solid.
This metastable state occurs when crystallization lacks a nucleation site to begin.
The phenomenon appears in physics, metallurgy, and atmospheric science, where supercooled water droplets remain liquid in clouds.
Also called supercooling.
Stable but not permanently
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
- driving forcePower behind movement
- phase transitionMatter shifting between states
- enthalpyThermodynamic total heat quantity
latent heat · heat transfer · diffusion · kinetics · freezing point depression · subcooling
Initial cluster formation
- crystal growthSolid lattice formation process
- crystalliteMicroscopic ordered solid region
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
- polycrystallineHaving many crystal grains
solidus · morphology · viscosity · crystal structure · supersaturation
Initial cluster formation
- microstructureSubmillimeter material composition
- castingShaping through liquid form
- solidificationTransition to firm state
- meltChange from solid
Precipitation forming ice on surfaces
- ice stormFreezing rain accumulation
- cloud seedingArtificially inducing rainfall
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- frostThin ice coating
Low-temperature biological preservation
- cryoprotectantSubstance preventing ice damage
- vitrificationTransformation into glass
- flash freezingRapid sub-zero preservation
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
metastable
Stable but not permanently
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
- driving forcePower behind movement
- phase transitionMatter shifting between states
enthalpy · latent heat · heat transfer · diffusion · kinetics · freezing point depression · subcooling
nucleation
Initial cluster formation
- crystal growthSolid lattice formation process
- crystalliteMicroscopic ordered solid region
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
polycrystalline · solidus · morphology · viscosity · crystal structure · supersaturation
nucleation
Initial cluster formation
- microstructureSubmillimeter material composition
- castingShaping through liquid form
- solidificationTransition to firm state
melt · alloy · ingot · continuous casting · inoculant
freezing rain
Precipitation forming ice on surfaces
- ice stormFreezing rain accumulation
- cloud seedingArtificially inducing rainfall
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
cryopreservation
Low-temperature biological preservation
- cryoprotectantSubstance preventing ice damage
- vitrificationTransformation into glass
- flash freezingRapid sub-zero preservation
liquid nitrogen · cryobiology · cold hardiness · cryosurgery
cool, cooler, coolness, cooling, cooled, coolant, uncooled, supercooling, undercool