The term "dendrite" comes from the Greek word dendron, which means "tree". This process occurs again and again until a dendrite is produced. However, overall, the protuberance becomes amplified. In opposition to this is the action of the surface tension tending to flatten the protuberance and setting up a flux of solute atoms from the protuberance out to the sides. This increases the diffusion rate to the tip. Any protuberance that develops is accompanied by a steeper concentration gradients at its tip. In the latter case, there must be a concentration gradient from the supersaturated value in the solution to the concentration in equilibrium with the crystal at the surface. Dendritic crystals can grow into a supercooled pure liquid or form from growth instabilities that occur when the growth rate is limited by the rate of diffusion of solute atoms to the interface. Dendritic crystallization forms a natural fractal pattern. Dendritic crystal growth is very common and illustrated by snowflake formation and frost patterns on a window.
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