Thermal Energy Unit Test

Question

3 of 103 of 10 Items
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.

Answer 1

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.