Question

1. why does the heating curve have plateaus instead of being a straight line? consider what temperature is. what do you think happens to the added energy during these plateaus?

Explanation:

The plateaus in a heating curve occur during phase - changes (melting or boiling). Temperature is a measure of average kinetic energy of particles. During phase - changes, added energy is used to break intermolecular forces rather than increase kinetic energy, so temperature remains constant.

Answer:

The plateaus in a heating curve are due to phase - changes. During these plateaus, the added energy is used to break intermolecular forces instead of increasing the temperature of the substance.