Thermal energy is caused by the motion of
A. mixing water molecules contained in a beaker.
B. molecules in solid, liquid, and gas phases.
C. mixing two different molecules together.
D. molecules that have reached equilibrium.
I think the best answer is B but C is true in some instances.
thank you sir
The correct answer is B. Thermal energy is caused by the motion of molecules in solid, liquid, and gas phases.
To understand why, we need to understand what thermal energy is. Thermal energy is a form of kinetic energy associated with the motion of particles or molecules in a substance. When molecules move, they have kinetic energy, and this kinetic energy is what we perceive as thermal energy.
In the case of thermal energy, the motion of molecules in a substance can be in the form of vibrations, rotations, or translations. In a solid, the molecules vibrate in fixed positions. In a liquid, the molecules can move more freely but are still in close proximity to each other. In a gas, the molecules move rapidly and have greater freedom of movement.
Therefore, thermal energy is caused by the motion of molecules in all three phases: solid, liquid, and gas. The option B correctly states that thermal energy is caused by the motion of molecules in solid, liquid, and gas phases.