What is the term for the process by which a liquid turns into a solid?

The term for the process by which a liquid turns into a solid is "freezing." This process occurs when the temperature of the liquid decreases to its freezing point, causing the molecules to lose kinetic energy and arrange themselves into a fixed, orderly structure that characterizes solid matter.

In contrast, condensation refers to the transformation of a gas into a liquid, typically when the gas is cooled. Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas, usually at a temperature below its boiling point, as liquid molecules gain enough energy to escape into the air. Sublimation is the direct transition of a substance from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid phase, as seen with substances like dry ice. Understanding these processes highlights the unique characteristics of states of matter and their transitions.