1(xii)
Identify the correct statement with respect to the change of phase of a substance.
- (a)Kinetic energy of the molecules remains the same.
- (b)Potential energy of the molecules remains the same.
- (c)Both potential and kinetic energies of the molecules increase.
- (d)Both potential and kinetic energies of the molecules remain the same.
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Kinetic energy of the molecules remains the same.
Reason — During a change of phase, the temperature of the substance does not change. Since the kinetic energy of the molecules depends on the temperature, the kinetic energy of the molecules remains the same. The heat energy supplied (i.e., the latent heat) is used up in increasing the potential energy of the molecules by increasing the separation between molecules against their attractive forces.