Question

what happens to molecules when the temperature drops or lowers?

Answer 1

When the temperature drops or lowers, the kinetic energy of the molecules decreases.

Firstly, for gases, at lower temperatures the average kinetic energy of gas molecules decreases. This causes the molecules to move slower and have lower collision rates, resulting in a decrease in pressure.

In liquids, lower temperatures lead to a decrease in the energy of molecular motion. This causes the molecules to move more slowly and closely together, leading to a decrease in volume and an increase in density. At very low temperatures, liquids can freeze to form solids as the molecules become arranged in a regular pattern.

In solids, lowering the temperature causes the molecules to vibrate more slowly and with less energy. This reduction in molecular motion leads to a decrease in the material's thermal expansion, hardness, and electrical conductivity.

Overall, lowering the temperature affects the behavior and properties of molecules, impacting factors such as pressure, volume, density, and molecular motion.