Question

How does energy from the sun affect the motion of molecules in a solid compared to molecules in a gas?

Answer 1

Right answer: Molecules in a solid move slower than in a gas.

Matter is composed of molecules, which are always motion, however, the speed of this movement will depend on its state:

-If it is a solid, the movement of the molecules at room temperature is very small. This means, the atoms intertwine forming defined narrow crystal structures.

-In the case of liquids, molecules have more movement, however there is still some union between the atoms of the body, although much less intense than in the solids. This can happen if the temperature of a solid increases, it loses form until the crystalline structure disappears, reaching the liquid state.

-In the gases the movement of the molecules is maximum, it can be said that they are in chaos and show little response to gravity. They move so quickly that they are released from each other and are hugely separated from each other.

Now, the radiation coming from the Sun is transformed into kinetic energy causing the movement of the molecules, then this kinetic energy is transformed to thermal energy (heat). Hence, when there is an increase in temperature (due to the increase in kinetic energy) the speed of the vibration of the molecules increases.

However, these changes are not the same in all the states of matter. In the case of the solid state the molecules move slowly compared to the liquid and gaseous state.