As liquid water freezes, what happens to its thermal energy? (1 point)
Responses
Thermal energy remains constant, and potential energy decreases.
Thermal energy remains constant, and potential energy decreases.
Thermal energy decreases because potential energy is decreasing.
Thermal energy decreases because potential energy is decreasing.
Thermal energy decreases because kinetic energy is decreasing.
Thermal energy decreases because kinetic energy is decreasing.
Thermal energy remains constant, and kinetic energy decreases.
Thermal energy decreases because kinetic energy is decreasing.
As liquid water freezes, its thermal energy decreases because kinetic energy is decreasing.
To understand why, let's break down the different forms of energy in this process. Thermal energy refers to the total kinetic energy of the particles within a substance. Potential energy, on the other hand, is the energy associated with the position or arrangement of particles.
During the freezing process, the temperature of the water drops below its freezing point. As a result, the kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases, leading to a decrease in the thermal energy. The water molecules start to arrange themselves in a more ordered, solid structure, causing a decrease in potential energy.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Thermal energy decreases because kinetic energy is decreasing."