The diagram shows changes of state between solid, liquid, and gas. The atoms of a substance lose energy during a change of state. Before the change, the atoms are close together but are able to slide past one another.

Question

A diagram has a triangle at center with gas on top, liquid on bottom right, solid on bottom left. An arrow from gas to liquid is labeled O, and an arrow from liquid to gas is labeled N. An arrow from solid to liquid is labeled P, and an arrow from liquid to solid is labeled Q. An arrow from solid to gas is labeled L, and an arrow from gas to solid is labeled M.

Which arrow represents the change of state described above?

M
N
P
Q

Answer 1

The description states that "the atoms of a substance lose energy during a change of state." This process corresponds to a transition from a gas to a liquid or from a liquid to a solid, as energy is lost during these changes.

From your diagram:

• The arrow from gas to liquid is labeled "N" (which represents condensation).
• The arrow from liquid to solid is labeled "Q" (which represents freezing).

Since both transitions involve the loss of energy, you can consider either "N" or "Q." However, if we focus purely on the description of atoms losing energy, the most direct representation of that state change in your question is the transition from gas to liquid.

Thus, the arrow that represents the change of state described (where atoms lose energy) is N.