What causes particles to start vibrating with greater speed when solids are heated?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the relationship between heat and particle motion in solids. Specifically, it seeks to understand why particles in a solid vibrate more rapidly when the solid is heated, which involves concepts of kinetic energy and thermal energy.
Answer
Heat increases particles' kinetic energy, causing more vigorous vibration.
Particles in solids gain energy from heat, increasing their kinetic energy and causing them to vibrate more vigorously.
Answer for screen readers
Particles in solids gain energy from heat, increasing their kinetic energy and causing them to vibrate more vigorously.
More Information
When solids are heated, the energy from the heat translates into increased kinetic energy for the particles. Because solids have tightly packed particles, this energy manifests primarily as increased vibration. Once the energy overcomes intermolecular forces, particles can move more freely, as seen when a solid melts.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing translational movement with vibration. In solids, particles mainly vibrate because of their fixed positions.
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