Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c40.s4.3

v2.c40.s4.3

The opposite of drava (melting), pralaya (losing shape) and sru (to flow) was reckoned as the phenomenon of a molten object or liquid becoming frozen (śita, 6.1.24-26) or solidified (mur, 6.4.21). From mur was derived mūrtta and mūrti, the phenomenon of assuming shape which is possible only for a solidifying object. Coagulation is the aggregation of dispersed phase in a heterogeneous system not necessarily accompanied by loss of heat, as exemplified in coagulation of the protein matter from milk. This phenomenon of coagulation (śīna — coagulated) was distinguished from the process of being frozen (śīta) on account of cooling (Pāṇ., 6.1.24-26).