Question

What happens when thermal energy is applied to a substance?(1 point)
Responses

Its atoms gain potential energy.
Its atoms gain potential energy.

All substances will melt.
All substances will melt.

Its atoms gain kinetic energy.
Its atoms gain kinetic energy.

Its particles slow down.

Answer 1

When thermal energy is applied to a substance, **its atoms gain kinetic energy.** This increase in kinetic energy generally results in the particles moving faster, which can lead to changes in temperature and state (e.g., melting or evaporating for solids and liquids).