When thermal energy is removed from particles, the particles lose kinetic energy, which generally leads to a decrease in their motion. This process typically results in several observable actions depending on the state of matter of the substance in question:
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Temperature Decrease: As thermal energy is removed, the temperature of the substance decreases because temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.
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Condensation (for gases): If thermal energy is removed from a gas, it may condense into a liquid if the temperature drops below its boiling point. This happens because the reduced kinetic energy allows the attractive forces between particles to overcome their motion.
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Freezing (for liquids): If thermal energy is removed from a liquid, it can freeze into a solid if the temperature drops below its freezing point. In this case, the particles lose enough energy that they can arrange themselves into a fixed structure.
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Solidification: In solids, while the particles do not have enough energy to move freely, removing thermal energy can lead to a more ordered arrangement or structural changes in some cases.
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Volume Changes: For many substances, removing thermal energy can lead to a decrease in volume because particles come closer together as they lose kinetic energy.
Overall, the removal of thermal energy leads to a transition to a more ordered state and can result in phase changes in the material.