What happens to potential energy during melting

During melting, the potential energy of a substance remains constant. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object or substance due to its position or state. In the case of melting, the potential energy refers to the energy associated with the arrangement and bonding between the particles of the substance.

When a solid substance is heated, its particles gain kinetic energy, causing them to vibrate more vigorously. As the temperature continues to increase, the kinetic energy of the particles overcomes the attractive forces holding them together, and the solid transitions into a liquid state. This process is called melting.

While the particles are transitioning from the solid to liquid phase, the potential energy remains unchanged. It is the kinetic energy that increases as heat is added. The potential energy is essentially being used to break the intermolecular forces within the solid, allowing the particles to move more freely, resulting in a change of state.

In summary, during the process of melting, the potential energy of a substance remains constant while the kinetic energy increases, leading to a change in state from solid to liquid.