An ice cube tray full of water is put into a freezer. Which energy change occurs in the particles in the water as it undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid?
1. The potential energy in increase due to the tighter arrangement of the particles
2. The potential energy increases due to the looser arrangement of the particles
3. The potential energy decreases due to the looser arrangement of the particles
4. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles
4. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
The correct answer is option 4. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles. When the water undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid, the particles slow down and come closer together, forming a regular pattern. This results in a decrease in the potential energy of the particles as they become more tightly arranged in a solid structure.
To answer this question, we need to understand the concept of energy changes during a phase change. When water freezes and undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid, the particles in the water go from a more disordered arrangement (liquid) to a more ordered arrangement (solid).
During this phase change, energy must be released or removed from the system to allow the particles to slow down and bond together in a more organized manner. This energy is called the latent heat of fusion.
So, the correct answer to the question would be:
4. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles