What happens if atoms lose energy during a change of state?

The atoms are pushed apart by repulsive forces and become less organized.
The atoms are pulled together by attractive forces and become less organized.
The atoms are pushed apart by repulsive forces and become more organized.
The atoms are pulled together by attractive forces and become more organized.

1 answer

When atoms lose energy during a change of state, they typically become more organized as they transition to a lower energy state. This process often involves the atoms being pulled together by attractive forces.

For example, when a gas cools and condenses into a liquid, the atoms lose energy, move closer together, and form more structured arrangements, leading to a more organized state. Similarly, when a liquid freezes into a solid, the atoms further lose energy and adopt a highly organized lattice structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is: The atoms are pulled together by attractive forces and become more organized.