An ice cube tray full of water is put into a freezer. Which energy change occurs in the particles in the water as it undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid?

Question

a. The potential energy increases due to the looser arrangement of the particles.
b. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.
c. The potential energy increases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles
d. The potential energy decreases due to the looser arrangement of the particles

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

b. The potential energy decreases due to the tighter arrangement of the particles.

As water freezes, the particles lose kinetic energy and move closer together, forming a solid structure (ice). This results in a decrease in potential energy because the particles are more tightly arranged in the solid state compared to the more loosely arranged particles in the liquid state.