Answer to Question #55307 in General Chemistry for Lia

Question

Describe what occurs to the particles of a substance when the substance melts. Explain why this occurs.

Answer 1

Heating of the solid gives kinetic energy to the particles and they start to vibrate. Further heating provides more energy until the particles start to break free of the structure. Although the particles are still loosely connected they are able to move around. The substance has same particles in liquid and solid state but now they have more energy. Energy is necessary for to overcome the attractions between the particles. The energy is provided when the solid is heated up. The temperature at which something melts is called "melting point”.