Sure! Here’s a breakdown of how particles are involved in each of the specified processes:
1. Dissolving Salt in Water
- Particles Involved: Sodium (Na+) and Chloride (Cl-) ions from the salt (NaCl) and water (H2O) molecules.
- Process: When salt is added to water, the polar water molecules interact with the positive (sodium) and negative (chloride) ions in the salt. The water molecules surround the ions and separate them from the solid, effectively dissolving the salt into its ionic components.
2. Burning Wood
- Particles Involved: Cellulose (and other organic compounds) in the wood, oxygen (O2) from the air, carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and various other products of combustion such as ash and smoke.
- Process: When wood burns, a chemical reaction (combustion) occurs between the carbon compounds in the wood and oxygen in the air. This reaction releases energy in the form of heat and light, producing carbon dioxide and water vapor as byproducts.
3. Cutting Grass
- Particles Involved: Plant cells in the grass, enzymes, and various biological molecules (like chlorophyll, cellulose, etc.).
- Process: Cutting grass physically separates the plant's tissues. The cutting action damages the plant cells, causing the release of cellular contents and potentially triggering processes like the generation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can lead to the characteristic smell of freshly cut grass.
4. Boiling Water
- Particles Involved: Water molecules (H2O).
- Process: When water is heated, the thermal energy increases the kinetic energy of the water molecules. As the temperature reaches the boiling point, the water molecules move faster and begin to change from liquid to gas (steam) as they overcome intermolecular forces, transitioning into the vapor phase.
These descriptions illustrate how different processes engage with particles, whether through physical changes, chemical reactions, or energy transformations.
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