Question

As water becomes warmer, boils and then becomes water vapor (steam), what happens to its kinetic and potential energies?(1 point)
Responses

The particles gain kinetic energy as it heats up, but the potential energy of the particles will stay the same.
The particles gain kinetic energy as it heats up, but the potential energy of the particles will stay the same.

The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy.
The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy.

The kinetic and potential energies of the particles will stay the same.
The kinetic and potential energies of the particles will stay the same.

The particles will gain potential energy as it heats up, but the kinetic energy of the particles will stay the same.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

**The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy.**

As water is heated, the kinetic energy of the particles increases due to increased motion (heat), and when it reaches the boiling point and transitions into steam, the potential energy also increases as the particles overcome intermolecular forces and move further apart.