Question

Which of the following describe(s) the changes, on a molecular level, when a solid melts?Select one:

a. The molecules become more widely separated.
b. The molecules acquire greater freedom of motion.
c. The molecules collectively no longer have a shape of their own.
d. The average kinetic energies of the molecules are greater.
e. All of these are true

Answer 1

Option (e) is correct

Step-by-step explanation:

• Solids have definite crystal structures in which molecules maintain a certain and fixed distance with each other. Due to this restriction, molecules have very lower degrees of freedom.
• In liquid, restriction around a molecule is lesser as compared to solids. Due to this molecules can move more freely as compared to solids and thereby possess higher degrees of freedom.
• For a same substance, liquid form possess higher temperature than it's solid form. As average kinetic energy is proportional to temperature therefore liquid molecules have higher kinetic energy than solid molecules.
• We know that liquids and gases do not have particular shape. Their shape depends on shape of their container.

So, all of the statements are true.