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

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

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

As water freezes and transitions from a liquid to a solid, the molecules lose energy and move closer together, resulting in a tighter arrangement. This rearrangement of molecules leads to a decrease in potential energy.