Final answer:
The particle energy in an ice cube is lower than in liquid water.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an ice cube melts and becomes liquid water, the particle energy increases.
At a molecular level, in an ice cube, the water molecules are held together in a rigid crystal lattice structure. The particles have less kinetic energy and vibrate in fixed positions.
When the ice cube melts, the water molecules gain more energy, which allows them to move more freely and take up a more disordered arrangement in the liquid state. The particles have higher kinetic energy and move around more randomly.
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