Freida wants to model the way atoms move when a substance changes its state. To do this, Freida makes a pyramid of marshmallows. Then, she knocked down the pyramid causing the marshmallows to fall.

Question

If the marshmallows represent the atoms in the substance, which change of state is Freida modeling?

melting
freezing
condensation
deposition

Answer 1

Freida knocking down the pyramid of marshmallows to represent atoms moving when a substance changes its state is modeling melting. When a solid (like a pyramid of marshmallows) melts, the structured arrangement of atoms (or marshmallows) breaks down, allowing them to move freely, similar to how the marshmallows fall apart when the pyramid is knocked down.