2.

7 Changes of State 67

2.7 Changes of State LEARNING GOAL

In Section 2.2, we described the properties and states of matter: gases, liquids, and Describe the changes of state
between solids, liquids, and gases;
solids. We can now discuss how matter undergoes a change of state when it is converted calculate the energy involved.
from one state to another (see Figure 2.8).
When heat is added to a solid, the particles move faster. At a temperature called the
melting point (mp), the particles of a solid gain sufficient energy to overcome the attrac-
tive forces that hold them together. The particles in the solid separate and move about in
random patterns. The substance is melting, changing from a solid to a liquid.
If the temperature is lowered, the reverse process takes place. Kinetic energy is lost,
the particles slow down, and attractive forces pull the particles close together. The
substance is freezing. A liquid changes to a solid at the freezing point (fp), which is the Solid + Heat Liquid
same temperature as its melting point. Every substance has its own freezing (melting) Melting
point: water freezes (melts) at 0 °C; gold freezes (melts) at 1064 °C; nitrogen freezes
(melts) at -210 °C.
During a change of state, the temperature of a substance remains constant. Suppose F re e zin g
we have a glass containing ice and water. The ice melts when heat is added at 0 °C, form- − Heat
ing more liquid. The liquid freezes when heat is removed at 0 °C. The processes of Melting and freezing are reversible
melting and freezing are reversible at 0 °C. processes.

FIGURE 2.8 A summary of the

changes of state.
on Gas Va Q Is heat added or released when
ati po
lim riz liquid water freezes?
ub n
itio Co
ati
S

os nd
on

ep e
D

ns
ati
on

Melting

Freezing

Heat absorbed Heat released

Heat of Fusion
During melting, energy called the heat of fusion is needed to separate the particles of a
solid. For example, 80. cal (334 J) of heat are needed to melt exactly 1 g of ice at its
melting point (0 °C).

Heat of Fusion for Water

80. cal 334 J
1 g water 1 g water

The heat of fusion (80. cal/g or 334 J/g) is also the heat that must be removed to
freeze exactly 1 g of water at its freezing point (0 °C). Water is sometimes sprayed in fruit