Nucleation

Examples of Nucleation in the following topics:

• Liquid to Solid Phase Transition

  • Crystallization consists of two major events: nucleation and crystal growth.
  • In the presence of irregularities on the surface of the containing vessel, solid or gaseous impurities, pre-formed solid crystals, or other nucleators, heterogeneous nucleation may occur.
  • Heterogeneous nucleation is when nucleation occurs on a surface that the substance is in contact with.
  • However, in the absence of nucleators water can supercool to -40 °C (-40 °F, 233 K) before freezing.
  • When sugar is supersaturated in water, nucleation will occur, allowing sugar molecules to stick together and form large crystal structures.