When ammonium nitrate dissolves in water and the temperature of the surroundings drops, it indicates that the process is endothermic. In an endothermic process, energy is absorbed from the surroundings, which implies that the potential energy of the system (in this case, ammonium nitrate in solution) becomes higher than it was in solid form.
Therefore, the correct statement regarding the potential energy of ammonium nitrate when it dissolves in water is:
The potential energy of ammonium nitrate is higher when it is a solid than when it dissolves.
This means that the potential energy of ammonium nitrate increases when it dissolves, which would not be accurately stated in the response options. The correct statement indicating that potential energy increases upon dissolution should imply that the potential energy in solution is higher than in its solid state. However, none of the options provided accurately capture this concept as they are contradictory. The misleading part of the options is stating that the potential energy "is lower" or remains unchanged.
Conclusively:
- The potential energy of ammonium nitrate is higher when it is dissolved in water compared to when it is in solid form.
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