Thermal Energy Unit Test
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Question
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 point)
Responses
The potential energy increases due to the looser arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy increases due to the looser arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy increases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy increases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy decreases due to the looser arrangement of the particles.
The potential energy decreases due to the looser arrangement of the particles.
The correct answer is: The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles. When water freezes and transitions from a liquid to a solid phase, the particles arrange themselves in a more ordered and structured manner, resulting in a decrease in potential energy.
The correct answer is: The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
To answer this question, we need to understand the energy changes that occur during a phase change from a liquid to a solid.
During this phase change, the water molecules within the ice cube tray rearrange themselves and form a more ordered and fixed structure. This transition from a more mobile liquid state to a less mobile solid state requires the removal of energy from the system.
As a result, the potential energy of the particles decreases due to the tighter arrangement in the solid state. Therefore, the correct answer is:
"The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles."