The arrows in the sequence Solid <--> Liquid <--> Gas represent the changes in states of matter, known as phase transitions.
Solid <--> Liquid :
Melting : When a solid changes into a liquid, this process is called melting. It occurs when a substance gains enough energy for its particles to overcome the rigid structure of a solid.
Freezing : When a liquid turns into a solid, it is known as freezing. In this process, the particles lose energy and arrange themselves into a fixed structure.
Liquid <--> Gas :
Evaporation/Boiling : When a liquid changes to a gas, it is either through evaporation or boiling. Evaporation occurs at the surface of the liquid at any temperature, while boiling happens when a liquid reaches its boiling point.
Condensation : When a gas changes into a liquid, this process is called condensation. It involves gas particles losing energy and coming closer together to form a liquid.
Each of these transitions involves the transfer of energy, usually in the form of heat. Understanding these processes helps explain how various materials behave in different conditions, and it's a fundamental concept in chemistry.