Which energy changes are associated with a liquid freezing?

• A. The liquid releases heat to its surroundings, and its potential energy decreases.
• B. The liquid absorbs heat from its surroundings, and its potential energy increases.
• C. The liquid releases heat to its surroundings, and its potential energy increases.
• D. The liquid absorbs heat from its surroundings, and its potential energy decreases.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of freezing: freezing is the phase change from liquid to solid, which occurs when a liquid loses thermal energy.
2. Recall that during freezing, the substance releases heat to its surroundings because it is losing energy to form a more ordered solid structure.
3. Recognize that potential energy is related to the arrangement of particles; as the liquid freezes, particles become more tightly packed, so the potential energy decreases.
4. Combine these concepts: since the liquid releases heat (loses thermal energy) and its particles move to a lower energy, more ordered state, the potential energy decreases.
5. Therefore, the correct description is that the liquid releases heat to its surroundings, and its potential energy decreases.