If an alginate impression is left to soak in a wet environment, the material will expand by which process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Imbibition is the process by which the material absorbs moisture and swells up. This can cause dimensional changes and distortion in the impression. Syneresis is the opposite process where the material loses moisture and shrinks. Hysteresis refers to the lagging of a physical effect behind its cause, and is not applicable in this context. Dimensional change is a general term and is not specific to the process of expansion due to soaking in a wet environment.

If an Alginate Impression Is Left to Soak in a Wet