Here's a step-by-step explanation:
1. In a liquid state, the particles have enough kinetic energy to move around while still being attracted to each other.
2. As the substance cools down, the particles lose some of their kinetic energy.
3. With the loss of kinetic energy, the attractions between the particles become stronger.
4. The stronger attractions cause the particles to hold in place and vibrate rather than move freely.
5. The vibrating particles form a rigid structure, leading to the substance solidifying and transitioning from a liquid to a solid state.
Remember, this process is specific to substances changing from a liquid to a solid. Other phase changes, such as melting or evaporation, have different requirements for particle behavior.