Which statement describes how vapor pressure occurs? explain
a
Some molecules of at the surface of a liquid have low enough kinetic energy to vaporize. These molecules exert pressure on the liquid.
b
Some molecules at the surface of a liquid have low enough kinetic energy to melt. These molecules exert pressure on the liquid.
c
Some molecules at the surface of a liquid have high enough kinetic energy to melt. These molecules exert pressure on the liquid.
d
Some molecules at the surface of a liquid have high enough kinetic energy to vaporize. These molecules exert pressure on the liquid.
The correct statement is d. Some molecules at the surface of a liquid have high enough kinetic energy to vaporize. These molecules exert pressure on the liquid.
Vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by the vapor molecules above the surface of a liquid in a closed container. It occurs when molecules with sufficient kinetic energy overcome the intermolecular forces holding them in the liquid phase and escape into the gas phase. These vapor molecules then exert pressure on the liquid surface.
In simpler terms, when a liquid is exposed to a closed environment, some of its molecules near the surface gain enough energy to break free from the liquid and form a gas above the liquid. These escaping molecules create a pressure called vapor pressure, which is the measure of the liquid's tendency to evaporate. The higher the vapor pressure, the more molecules are escaping and the faster evaporation occurs.