As water becomes warmer, boils and then becomes water vapor (steam), what happens to its kinetic and potential energies?(1 point) Responses The particles gain kinetic energy as it heats up, but the potential energy of the particles will stay the same. The particles gain kinetic energy as it heats up, but the potential energy of the particles will stay the same. The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy. The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy. The kinetic and potential energies of the particles will stay the same. The kinetic and potential energies of the particles will stay the same. The particles will gain potential energy as it heats up, but the kinetic energy of the particles will stay the same.

1 answer

As water is heated and reaches its boiling point, the particles gain kinetic energy as the temperature increases. When the water boils and transitions to steam, the particles must also overcome intermolecular forces, which results in an increase in potential energy. Thus, the correct response is:

The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy.