Science, Tech, Math › Science Nucleation Definition (Chemistry and Physics) What the Nucleation Process Is Print Crystals grow by nucleation of atoms or molecules to form organized structures. WIN-Initiative/Neleman / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on December 06, 2018 Nucleation Definition Nucleation is the process where droplets of liquid can condense from a vapor, or bubbles of gas can form in a boiling liquid. Nucleation can also occur in crystal solution to grow new crystals. It is seen in gases when tiny bubbles coalesce into larger ones. In general, nucleation is a self-organizing process that leads to a new thermodynamic phase or a self-assembled structure. Read More Condensation Definition in Chemistry By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Nucleation is affected by the level of impurities in a system, which can provide surfaces to support assembly. In heterogeneous nucleation, organization begins at nucleation points on surfaces. In homogeneous nucleation, organization occurs away from a surface. For example, sugar crystals growing on a string is an example of heterogeneous nucleation. Another example is the crystallization of a snowflake around a dust particle. An example of homogeneous nucleation is growth of crystals in a solution rather than a container wall. Examples of Nucleation Dust and pollutants provide nucleation sites for water vapor in the atmosphere to form clouds. Seed crystals provide nucleation sites for crystal growing. In the Diet Coke and Mentos eruption, the Mentos candies offer nucleation sites for the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles. If you place your finger in a glass of soda, carbon dioxide bubbles will nucleate around it. Carbon dioxide bubbles nucleating on a finger. Arie Melamed-Katz Sources Pruppacher, H. R.; Klett J. D. (1997). Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation. Sear, R.P. (2007). "Nucleation: theory and applications to protein solutions and colloidal suspensions" (PDF). Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 19 (3): 033101. doi:10.1088/0953-8984/19/3/033101 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nucleation Definition (Chemistry and Physics)." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-nucleation-605425. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Nucleation Definition (Chemistry and Physics). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nucleation-605425 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nucleation Definition (Chemistry and Physics)." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nucleation-605425 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation