Crystal with two different melting points

In summary, the conversation discusses a discovery that the solid form is the same in both situations, but the liquid form has two different isomers depending on external conditions during melting. The conversation also mentions a quote from the article about technicians frowning at the risk of going above the equipment's temperature limit, but ultimately finding the risk to be worth it for the sake of science. The conversation ends with a recommendation for the account of how data and sleuthing should work in science.
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Tom.G
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TL;DR Summary
Back in 1896, acetaldehyde phenylhydrazone (APH) kept melting at two very different temperatures. A batch he produced on Monday might melt at 65 °C, while a batch on Thursday would melt at 100 °C. Here's why.
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Likes Jonathan Scott, atyy, baldbrain and 8 others
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #2
I'm not impressed. When I was a student, my entire class could synthesize the same molecule that would melt at different temperatures :wink:

Joking aside, this is a fascinating discovery. My favorite quote from the article:
Occasional forays to temperatures higher than the delicate equipment’s 100 °C limit led to “frowning technicians,” Meekes says, but the risk was worth it.
 
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Likes Wrichik Basu
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Great article. Thanks for the link.

Highly recommended account of how data and sleuthing are supposed to work in science.
 

1. What is a crystal with two different melting points?

A crystal with two different melting points is a type of crystal that has two distinct temperatures at which it changes from a solid to a liquid state. This means that part of the crystal will melt at one temperature, while another part will remain solid until a higher temperature is reached.

2. How is a crystal with two different melting points formed?

A crystal with two different melting points is formed when two different substances are combined to form a solid crystal structure. Each substance has its own unique melting point, resulting in the crystal having two distinct melting points.

3. What causes a crystal to have two different melting points?

The two different substances that make up a crystal with two different melting points have different chemical and physical properties. This results in each substance having its own unique melting point, causing the crystal to have two different melting points.

4. What are the applications of crystals with two different melting points?

Crystals with two different melting points have various applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, and food technology. They can be used to create controlled release drugs, develop new materials with specific properties, and improve the texture and flavor of food products.

5. How can the melting points of a crystal be determined?

The melting points of a crystal can be determined through various methods such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and melting point apparatus. These techniques involve heating the crystal and monitoring changes in temperature and mass to identify the melting points of the different substances present.

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