Question
What happens when thermal energy is applied to a substance
Answers
GPT 3.5
When thermal energy is applied to a substance, several things can happen:
1. Increase in temperature: The substance absorbs the thermal energy, causing an increase in its average kinetic energy and hence an increase in temperature.
2. Expansion: As the temperature of a substance increases, its particles gain more kinetic energy and start moving more. This increase in motion causes the substance to expand in volume.
3. Change of state: If the applied thermal energy is sufficient, the substance may undergo a change of state, such as melting (solid to liquid), boiling (liquid to gas), or sublimation (solid to gas without passing through the liquid state). These phase changes occur because the thermal energy is used to break the intermolecular forces holding the substance together.
4. Chemical reactions: In some cases, the application of thermal energy can cause chemical reactions to occur. The increased temperature provides the necessary activation energy for the reaction to proceed.
5. Emission of radiation: At higher temperatures, substances may emit thermal radiation in the form of light or other electromagnetic waves. This phenomenon is known as incandescence.
1. Increase in temperature: The substance absorbs the thermal energy, causing an increase in its average kinetic energy and hence an increase in temperature.
2. Expansion: As the temperature of a substance increases, its particles gain more kinetic energy and start moving more. This increase in motion causes the substance to expand in volume.
3. Change of state: If the applied thermal energy is sufficient, the substance may undergo a change of state, such as melting (solid to liquid), boiling (liquid to gas), or sublimation (solid to gas without passing through the liquid state). These phase changes occur because the thermal energy is used to break the intermolecular forces holding the substance together.
4. Chemical reactions: In some cases, the application of thermal energy can cause chemical reactions to occur. The increased temperature provides the necessary activation energy for the reaction to proceed.
5. Emission of radiation: At higher temperatures, substances may emit thermal radiation in the form of light or other electromagnetic waves. This phenomenon is known as incandescence.