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Sciencestd
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Im bit confused about what is exactly the difference between the terms, which process every term describes ?
Thank you so much for the answer :) , yes I'm talking about crystals and nothing biological :DBvU said:aggregation: two or more stick together
nucleation: a start from 'zero'
growth: from non-zero to a little more
We are talking crystals here, I hope ? (i.e. nothing biological )
BvU said:A further question ! My answer: don't really know. Didn't encounter it so far. Googled 'crystal coalescence and aggregation' and get the impression coalescence is softer (either it happens in the liquid phase, or comes down to a near perfect match in the early solid phase -- but I speculate)
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1909.00771.pdf
Aggregation is the process by which particles or molecules come together to form larger clusters or aggregates. This can occur through physical interactions such as van der Waals forces or through chemical bonding.
Nucleation is the initial step in the formation of a new phase or structure. It involves the creation of small clusters or nuclei, which then grow into larger structures through the process of growth.
Growth is the process by which particles or structures increase in size through the addition of more molecules or particles. This can occur through diffusion, coalescence, or other mechanisms depending on the system.
The main difference between aggregation and nucleation is that aggregation involves the coming together of particles or molecules that were already present in the system, while nucleation involves the formation of new particles or clusters. Additionally, aggregation typically occurs in a random manner, while nucleation is a more organized process.
Aggregation, nucleation, and growth are all processes that contribute to the formation of larger structures or phases. Aggregation and nucleation are the initial steps, while growth is the subsequent increase in size. These processes are often interconnected and can occur simultaneously in many systems.