Question

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

Its particles slow down.
Its particles slow down.

All substances will melt.
All substances will melt.

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

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

Answer 1

Its atoms gain kinetic energy. When thermal energy is added, the particles move faster (their kinetic energy increases), raising the temperature (unless energy goes into a phase change).