Chapter 5: Problem 4

What happens to the atoms and molecules in a substance as its temperature increases?

Short Answer

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Answer: An increase in temperature causes atoms and molecules within a substance to experience increased movement and energy. This can lead to changes in the substance's state (solid, liquid, gas), expansion, and increased rates of chemical reactions.

Step by step solution

Understanding Temperature and Particle Movement

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance. As the temperature of a substance increases, so does the average kinetic energy of its constituent particles. This means that an increase in temperature will lead to atoms and molecules in the substance moving more quickly and colliding with each other more frequently.

Effect on Solid Substances

In a solid substance, atoms and molecules are closely packed together and held in place by forces. When the temperature increases, these particles gain more energy, causing them to vibrate faster within their fixed positions. This increase in vibration can weaken the forces between particles, potentially causing the solid to expand or change state (i.e., melting).

Effect on Liquid Substances

In a liquid substance, atoms and molecules have more freedom of movement. As the temperature increases, their kinetic energy increases as well, leading them to move even more rapidly. This increased motion can lead to a decrease in the strength of the attractive forces between particles, causing the liquid to expand or change state (i.e., boiling).

Effect on Gas Substances

In a gaseous substance, atoms and molecules are spaced far apart and mostly unaffected by attractive forces. When temperature increases, the kinetic energy of these particles also increases, leading them to move more quickly. In this case, the increase in temperature can cause the gas to expand, and if confined, its pressure may increase as well.

Effect on Chemical Reactions

An increase in temperature can also affect the rate of chemical reactions taking place within a substance. The higher kinetic energy of atoms and molecules can make them more reactive, increasing the likelihood of them colliding and reacting with other particles. This generally results in an increase in the rate of chemical reactions as temperature increases. In conclusion, as the temperature of a substance increases, the atoms and molecules within it experience increased movement and energy, causing them to vibrate or move more rapidly. This can lead to changes in the substance's state (solid, liquid, gas), expansion, and increased rates of chemical reactions.

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What happens to the atoms and molecules in a substance as its temperature increases?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Temperature and Particle Movement

Effect on Solid Substances

Effect on Liquid Substances

Effect on Gas Substances

Effect on Chemical Reactions

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