Question

A sample of water is being heated over a flame. What happens to the water as it is heated?

Select one:
a. The volume of the water decreases.
b. The water undergoes an endothermic reaction.
c. The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases.
d. The velocity of the water molecules begins to decrease.

Answer 1

As the water is heated, c. the kinetic energy of the water molecules increases. Kinetic energy is the energy caused by an object's motion. This means that water molecules tend to move faster when heated. This is related to its temperature increase, as temperature is directly proportional to kinetic energy.