Question

Thermal energy is transferred to a substance which change can occur is it the kinetic and potential energy of the particles will stay the same, or the particles can gain kinetic energy, but the potential energy of the particles will stay the same, or the particles can gain potential and kinetic energy, or the particles will gain potential energy, but the kinetic energy of the particles will stay the same

Answer 1

When thermal energy is transferred to a substance, the particles can gain potential and kinetic energy. As the temperature of a substance increases, the kinetic energy of its particles increases. This is because the increase in temperature causes the particles to move more rapidly, increasing their kinetic energy. Simultaneously, the potential energy of the particles may also increase. This is because the increase in temperature can cause the particles to move farther apart, increasing their potential energy. Therefore, both the kinetic and potential energy of the particles can change when thermal energy is transferred to a substance.