Question

Question

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

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

Its particles slow down.
Its particles slow down.

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

All substances will melt.

Answer 1

When thermal energy is applied to a substance, the correct response is:

Its atoms gain kinetic energy.

This is because adding thermal energy increases the motion of the particles, which results in an increase in their kinetic energy.