By what mechanism does thermal energy alter the state of matter of a substance?
a) The higher the thermal energy, the more likely the molecules in the substance experience intermolecular forces. The more intermolecular forces, the more likely the substance is to be a solid.
b) A lower amount of thermal energy in the system causes weaker intermolecular forces, making the substance more likely to be a solid instead of a liquid or a gas.
c) The larger the thermal energy, the weaker the intermolecular forces, and the more likely the substance is to be a liquid or a gas instead of a solid.
d) Higher thermal energy relative to the strength of the intermolecular forces makes a substance more likely to be a gas.
Answers (2)
D.
Just answered the same question in Mastering Chemistry. Hope you get this in time.
Molecular forces dont change. The thermal energy breaks the bonds. D is the only possible