Question

Define crystallisation with examples.

Answer 1

Crystallization is a natural process which occurs as materials solidify from a liquid, or as they precipitate out of a liquid or gas. This can be caused by a physical change, such as a temperature change, or a chemical change such as acidity. Crystallization is a process directed by the size and shapes of the molecules involved, and their chemical properties. Crystals can be formed out of a single species of atom, different species of ions, or even large molecules like proteins. Some large molecules have a harder time undergoing the crystallization process, because their internal chemistry is not very symmetrical or interacts with itself to avoid crystallization.

The smallest unit of a crystal is called the unit cell. This is the base formation of atoms or molecules upon which additional units can be attached. You can think of this as a children’s building block, to which other blocks can be attached. Crystallization proceeds as if you were attaching these blocks in all directions. Some materials form different shaped crystals, which accounts for the great variation in shape, size, and color of various crystals.

Answer 2

Crystallization is the solidification of atoms or molecules into a highly structured form called a crystal. ... Crystallization can also refer to the solid-liquid separation and purification technique in which mass transfer occurs from the liquid solution to a pure solid crystalline phase.