fusion

fusion, in physics. 1. The change of a substance from the solid to the liquid state, also known as melting. The heat given up by a unit mass of a substance during fusion is called the latent heat of fusion. See also melting point. 2. The combining of two light atomic nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus, with the release of energy. See nuclear energy; hydrogen bomb; cold fusion.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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