Molten - GCSE Chemistry Definition

The term molten refers to a solid that has been heated until it becomes a liquid. In chemistry, it has two key uses:

1. Molten metals or ores (materials context):

Metals or rocks become molten at very high temperatures. For example, iron becomes molten in a blast furnace during metal extraction.

Molten materials can be:

• Poured into moulds (casting)

• Glowing due to heat

• Solidified again when cooled

This helps explain how materials change state and how heat energy affects their properties.

2. Molten ionic compounds (electrolysis context):

In GCSE Chemistry, molten also refers to ionic compounds that have been heated until they melt. In the molten state, the ions are free to move, so the substance can conduct electricity.

This is important in electrolysis, where the compound is broken down into its elements, for example:

molten lead bromide (PbBr₂) → lead (Pb) + bromine (Br₂)