Question

A pot of water is being heated on the stovetop. The water molecules closest to the burner rise in the pot when they gain thermal energy. In 1–2 sentences, explain why the water rises.(2 points)

Answer 1

When heated the water molecules gain kinetic energy and move farther apart, so the heated region becomes less dense than the surrounding cooler water. The less-dense water is buoyed upward by the denser fluid around it, producing a convective rise.