Question

In which of the following processes does the energy of the water decrease?

A) water freezes
B) steam condenses to the liquid
C) water evaporates
D) water sublimes
E) both a and b

Answer 1

In the processes of water freezing and steam condensing to liquid, the energy of the water decreases. In the processes of water evaporating and water subliming, the energy of the water increases.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the process of water freezes, the energy of the water decreases. When water freezes, the molecules slow down and form a more ordered structure, resulting in a decrease in energy. Similarly, in the process of steam condensing to liquid, the energy of the water decreases as the molecules come closer together and form a more ordered liquid state.

In contrast, in the process of water evaporating, the energy of the water increases. When water evaporates, the molecules gain energy and transition from a liquid to a gaseous state. The same is true for water subliming, where the energy of the water increases as it directly transitions from a solid to a gaseous state.

Therefore, the correct answer is option E - both a and b