Question

When a liquid converts its state from liquid to solid its intermolecular space:
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remains same
D. First increases and then decreases

Answer 1

Hint: The space which is present between any two successive atoms of a compound is called intermolecular space. The intermolecular space between the atoms is going to change as per the physical state of the compounds.

Complete Solution :
- In the question it is asked about the status of the intermolecular space between the atoms when a liquid converts its state from liquid to solid state.
- Liquid is going to change its state to solid state means the atoms in the compound are coming together to form a definite shape.
- When a definite shape is going to form from the liquid state then the intermolecular space is going to decrease.
- The atoms in the solid compound get a closely packed structure with a definite shape.
- Therefore when a liquid converts its state from liquid to solid its intermolecular space is going to decrease.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: When water is going to convert into an ice cube then the state of the water is going to change from liquid to solid. When the liquid is going to change into solid the intermolecular space is going to decrease due to formation of a definite shape in the solid state. The process of converting liquid into solid is called solidification or freezing of the liquid.