Supercooled Liquids
What is Supercooled Liquids?
A supercooled liquid is a liquid that has been cooled below its normal freezing point without solidifying, remaining in a metastable liquid state due to the absence of nucleation sites for crystal formation. Upon the introduction of a seed crystal or mechanical disturbance, a supercooled liquid rapidly crystallizes and releases its latent heat of fusion. Supercooled liquids are important in meteorology (supercooled water droplets in clouds), materials science (glass formation), and the study of phase transitions.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A supercooled liquid is a liquid that has been cooled below its normal freezing point without solidifying, remaining in a metastable liquid state due to the absence of nucleation sites for crystal formation. Upon the introduction of a seed crystal or mechanical disturbance, a supercooled liquid rapidly crystallizes and releases its latent heat of fusion. Supercooled liquids are important in meteorology (supercooled water droplets in clouds), materials science (glass formation), and the study of phase transitions.