When a solid is heated, which property increases to cause more movement?

When a solid is heated, which property increases to cause more movement?

• A. Volume
• B. Kinetic Energy
• C. Color
• D. Mass

Answer: (B)

When a solid is heated, energy is added to the particles, and temperature reflects the average kinetic energy of those particles. As temperature rises, the particles vibrate more vigorously, so the movement increases because their kinetic energy is higher. Volume changes can occur as the solid expands, and mass stays the same, but neither of those directly causes more motion. Color can change for some materials with temperature, but that doesn’t explain the increased motion of the particles.

When a solid is heated, energy is added to the particles, and temperature reflects the average kinetic energy of those particles. As temperature rises, the particles vibrate more vigorously, so the movement increases because their kinetic energy is higher. Volume changes can occur as the solid expands, and mass stays the same, but neither of those directly causes more motion. Color can change for some materials with temperature, but that doesn’t explain the increased motion of the particles.