How do phase changes occur on a molecular level?

1 Answer
Aug 20, 2017

Particle speed increases/decreases causing attraction to break/strengthen respectively. This leads to a phase change.

Explanation:

The phase changes are due to the particles' behaviour.

Ultimately, when a particle gains energy (AKA increase temperature), the atomic attraction becomes weaker and causes a change to the matter.

This results in a change from solid -> liquid -> gas.

The opposite occurs for gas -> liquid -> solid.
=> The particles lose energy (AKA becomes cooler).

Hope this helps :)