- #1
Pranav Jha
- 141
- 1
Melting and boiling explanation based on the kinetic-molecular model have always confused me. I am in grade 12 and still don't feel that I have got any real understanding of the process. Something that has always seemed odd to me is that the idea of increase in potential energy is only mentioned in books when they are discussing melting points? If the solid expands on heating, shouldn't the potential energy of the molecules increase as well all along, even before melting point is reached? Also, what is it with melting point? What "gives in" or breaks to allow the solid to suddenly change to liquid at that temperature for a given pressure?? What happens in terms of PE-KE equilibrium??