Question

Which of the following best explains what happens when the kinetic energy of particles in a liquid state increases? They move slowly enough that the particles are no longer held together, resulting in a gas. They move slower, increasing the forces of attraction that hold them together and forming a solid. They move fast enough to overcome the forces of attraction that hold them together, becoming a gas. They move faster, decreasing the forces of attraction that hold them together and causing particles to ionize and become plasma.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (c) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Energy that is acquired by the molecules of a substance due to their motion is known as kinetic energy.

For example, when we heat water in excess then it starts to boil and it changes into vapors.

Hence, when molecules of a liquid gain kinetic energy then they start to collide rapidly with each other. As a result, molecules move away from each other and there occurs decrease in force of attraction between the molecules. This leads to change of liquid state into vapor or gaseous state.

Thus, we can conclude that the statement they move fast enough to overcome the forces of attraction that hold them together, becoming a gas, best explains what happens when the kinetic energy of particles in a liquid state increases.