What happens to the energy of the molecules in a liquid sample of a substance as it solidifies at its freezing point?
- Aug 19
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Regents Chemistry June 2026
16 What happens to the energy of the molecules in a liquid sample of a substance as it solidifies at its freezing point?
(1) Potential energy and average kinetic energy both decrease.
(2) Potential energy and average kinetic energy both increase.
(3) Potential energy decreases and average kinetic energy remains constant.
(4) Potential energy remains constant and average kinetic energy increases.
Solution:
As a substance turns from liquid to solid, this represents a phase change. During any phase change, kinetic energy remains constant because temperature is not changing. As the substance turns from liquid to solid, its potential energy decreases. Gases have more potential energy than liquids which have more potential energy than solids. Choice 3 is the correct answer choice.
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