Question

How are phases of matter affected by heat?

Answer 1

Heat decides the final state of the matter. Heat plays a significant role in interconversion of the phases of matter. A matter from one state can be converted to another state if the heat is increased or decreased. Adding heat or taking off heat brings change in state or phases of matter. For example, conversion of solid to liquid, or liquid to gas.

Complete answer:
Heat can affect the states of matter in five different ways:
1. Solid to liquid: Few solids when heated, results in their change of state from solid to liquid. This process is termed as heating. For Example, when solid ice cubes are heated on a gas flame they get converted into liquid water. Similarly, when the Ghee or butter is heated on gas, it gets converted to liquid oil.
2. Liquid to solid: liquids on losing the heat to surroundings can get converted to solids. For example, Freezing of water.
3. Liquid to gas: This process is termed as the evaporation. When liquids are heated then they often turn into a gaseous state of matter. For example, when water is heated it gets changed to water vapor (gas)
4. Gas to liquid: When the gas loses heat to the surroundings, it gets converted to the water. This process is termed as condensation. For example: cooling of nitrogen gas under pressure generates liquid Nitrogen.
5. Solid to gas: This process is termed as sublimation. When the solids gain heats from the surroundings it gets converted to the gas. For example, solid carbon dioxide gains heat from surroundings and turns into gas.

Note: heat is the major push for the interconversions of the different states of matter. It is the relative proportion of the heat which drives the conversion of various states of matter from one form to another.