Question

part 3: states of matter - short answers (4 points each)

1. explain what happens to the particles in a cube of solid copper metal as it is heated up past its melting point of 1083°c.

Explanation:

When solid copper is heated past its melting - point, the particles gain more kinetic energy. In the solid state, the particles vibrate in fixed positions. As heat is added and the melting - point is reached, the inter - particle forces are weakened. Past the melting - point, the copper is in the liquid state and the particles are able to move more freely, sliding past one another.

Answer:

As the cube of solid copper metal is heated past its melting point of 1083°C, the particles gain sufficient kinetic energy to break free from their fixed positions in the solid lattice. The inter - particle forces that hold the solid together are weakened. The particles start to move more freely and can slide past one another as the copper changes from a solid to a liquid state.