Question

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

Answer 1

When water is heated and eventually boils to become water vapor (steam), the kinetic and potential energies of its particles change as follows:

• The particles gain kinetic energy as they are heated, which causes them to move faster.
• As the water transitions to steam, the particles also gain potential energy. This is because the molecules need to overcome intermolecular forces to transition from the liquid to the gas phase.

Thus, the correct response is: The particles gain both potential and kinetic energy.