Lower Secondary Science · Particulate Nature of Matter

Why does the temperature stop rising?

Use the slider to add or remove heat energy. Watch the thermometer — and watch the particles.

Particles (sealed container)
SOLID
54 particles Count never changes
Temp
−50 °C
Heating / cooling curve
Heat energy added (steady heating, so this is also time)
Heat energy in →
Drag left · cool downDrag right · heat up
Solid — heating up

Heat energy makes the particles vibrate faster. Their average kinetic energy increases, so the temperature rises.

Watch for this: during melting and boiling the particles do not speed up — the heat energy is used to overcome the forces of attraction between them. Their average kinetic energy stays the same, so the temperature stays the same.