Question

Three grams of the same substance in different phases are stored in three different containers. Each container is barely large enough to hold the substance.

Which statement can be known about the behavior of the atoms in each container?

The atoms in the solid would be moving vigorously around the container.
The atoms in the liquid would be vibrating in position.
The atoms in the solid would be vibrating in position.
The atoms in the gas would be moving slowly around the container.

Answer 1

The correct statement is: "The atoms in the solid would be vibrating in position."

Reason: In a solid atoms are fixed at lattice positions and only vibrate about those positions. In a liquid atoms move past one another (not just vibrate in place), and in a gas atoms move rapidly and randomly throughout the container.