What happens to the particles and temperature of a substance as it changes state?
When a substance changes state, such as from a solid to a liquid or from a liquid to a gas, the particles and temperature undergo certain changes.
1. Solid to Liquid:
- The temperature increases, supplying energy to the particles.
- The particles start to vibrate more rapidly, overcoming the forces holding them in a fixed position.
- As a result, the bonds between particles weaken, allowing them to move more freely.
- The substance becomes a liquid, with the particles able to flow and take the shape of their container.
2. Liquid to Gas:
- The temperature continues to increase, providing more energy to the particles.
- The particles gain enough kinetic energy to completely overcome the intermolecular forces holding them together.
- As a result, the bonds between particles break, and the liquid turns into a gas.
- The particles move even more rapidly, spreading out and filling the entire space available.
In both cases, the temperature increases because energy is being added to the substance. The particles gain more kinetic energy, causing them to move more. Additionally, the bonds between particles weaken or break, allowing for a change in state.