Crystallization
1. Crystallization is the process by which a solid forms, where the atoms or molecules are highly organized into a structure known as a crystal.
2. Crystallization is the solidification of atoms or molecules into a highly structured form called a crystal.
Two events must occur for crystallization to occur. First, atoms or molecules cluster together on the microscopic scale in a process called nucleation. Next, if the clusters become stable and sufficiently large, crystal growth may occur.
Atoms and compounds can generally form more than one crystal structure (polymorphism). The arrangement of particles is determined during the nucleation stage of crystallization. This may be influenced by multiple factors, including temperature, the concentration of the particles, pressure, and the purity of the material.
In a solution in the crystal growth phase, an equilibrium is established in which solute particles dissolve back into the solution and precipitate as a solid. If the solution is supersaturated, this drives crystallization because the solvent cannot support continued dissolving. Sometimes having a supersaturated solution is insufficient to induce crystallization. It may be necessary to provide a seed crystal or a rough surface to start nucleation and growth.
Chemicool Dictionary https://www.chemicool.com/definition/
A. Mersmann, Crystallization Technology Handbook (2001) CRC; 2nd ed.
ThoughtCo. Dictionary https://www.thoughtco.com/definition