What is the term used to describe the change from solid to liquid?

The term that describes the change from solid to liquid is melting. This process occurs when a solid substance absorbs heat, causing the particles to gain energy and move apart from their fixed positions. As the temperature increases, the solid transitions into a liquid state, where the particles are more freely mobile, allowing them to flow and take the shape of their container.

In contrast, freezing refers to the opposite process where a liquid turns into a solid, vaporization encompasses the transition of a liquid to a gas, and evaporation is a specific type of vaporization occurring at the surface of a liquid at temperatures below its boiling point. Understanding the nuances of these terms can help clarify the various phase changes matter undergoes.