Melting Point Depression

Melting point depression occurs when a substance's melting temperature decreases due to the addition of another substance, typically a solvent or impurity. When a solute dissolves in a solvent, it disrupts the orderly arrangement of the solid's particles, making it easier for the solid to turn into a liquid at a lower temperature. This effect is commonly observed in solutions or mixtures, and it’s a principle used in processes like freezing point depression in antifreeze or in chemical purification. Essentially, adding certain substances makes it easier for a material to melt by lowering the energy required for the phase change.