Question

which statement accurately describes what happens when water turns to steam in terms of energy?
○ the water absorbs energy which causes chemical bonds to break, changing water to steam.
○ the water releases energy which causes chemical bonds to break, changing water to steam.
○ the water absorbs energy which causes the water molecules to have more kinetic and potential energy, changing their configuration from a liquid to a gas.
○ the water releases energy which causes the water molecules to have less kinetic and potential energy, changing their configuration from liquid to gas.

Explanation:

When water turns to steam, it undergoes a physical phase change (liquid to gas), not a chemical change, so no chemical bonds break. This process requires absorbing energy (endothermic). The absorbed energy increases the kinetic energy (molecules move faster) and potential energy (molecules move farther apart) of water molecules, changing their configuration to a gas.

Answer:

The water absorbs energy which causes the water molecules to have more kinetic and potential energy, changing their configuration from a liquid to a gas.