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In chemistry, Fractional Crystallization is a method of refining substances based on differences in soluability. If to or more substances are dissolved in a solvent they will crystallize out of solution (precipitate) at different rates. Crystallization can be induced by changes in concentration, temperature or other means.
Fractional crystallization can be used for purification or analysis.
example: If sugar is dissolved in water and partially frozen the liquid portion will taste sweeter than the frozen portion because the sugar will be more soluable in the liquid phase.
A more interesting case occurs in geochemistry where elements can be come seperated during the slow cooling of magma as some remain dissolved while other elements seperate out.
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