Name two changes of state and describe what causes each to occur.

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Identify the two changes of state you want to describe. Common changes of state include melting, freezing, vaporization, condensation, sublimation, and deposition.

For the first change of state, describe the initial and final states of matter. For example, melting involves a change from solid to liquid.

Explain the cause of the first change of state. Typically, this involves a change in temperature or pressure. For melting, an increase in temperature provides energy to overcome the forces holding the solid together.

For the second change of state, describe the initial and final states of matter. For example, condensation involves a change from gas to liquid.

Explain the cause of the second change of state. In the case of condensation, a decrease in temperature or an increase in pressure allows gas molecules to lose energy and form a liquid.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Phase Changes

Phase changes refer to the transitions between different states of matter, such as solid, liquid, and gas. These changes occur due to variations in temperature and pressure, which affect the energy and arrangement of particles in a substance. Common phase changes include melting (solid to liquid) and evaporation (liquid to gas).

Melting

Melting is the process where a solid turns into a liquid when it absorbs enough heat energy. This energy increases the kinetic energy of the particles, causing them to vibrate more vigorously until they overcome the forces holding them in a fixed position. The temperature at which this occurs is known as the melting point.

Evaporation

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas at temperatures below its boiling point. This occurs when molecules at the surface of the liquid gain enough energy to break free from the liquid's intermolecular forces. Factors such as temperature, surface area, and air movement can influence the rate of evaporation.

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