in which case would the kinetic energy of particles ne increasing?

metal is cooled at 1,300 c
metal is melted at 1,300c
metal is heated from room temperature to 200 c
metal is at room temperature, 37 c

1 answer

The kinetic energy of particles increases when the temperature of a substance increases. In the options provided, the scenario where the kinetic energy of particles would be increasing is:

  • metal is heated from room temperature to 200°C

In this case, as the metal is heated, the particles gain energy and move more rapidly, which increases their kinetic energy.

In the other scenarios:

  • Cooling the metal at 1,300°C would decrease the kinetic energy.
  • Melting the metal at 1,300°C involves a phase change but can be associated with energy being absorbed for the phase transition (though the kinetic energy doesn't change during the transition itself).
  • The metal at room temperature (37°C) does not have a change in temperature, so its kinetic energy remains constant.

Thus, the correct answer is the third option: metal is heated from room temperature to 200°C.