Question 7: When an object is heated not all the energy it absorbs goes into increasing the velocity of the molecules. Explain where does the remaining energy go?

ANSWER

When an object is heated, not all the energy absorbed goes to increase the velocity of molecules. It partly goes to increase the velocity of molecules which increases the temperature of the object and the remaining part of the energy absorbed is used in an increase of the vibrational,rotational and potential energies of the object. This causes a change in the volume of the object.

Rotational Energy: Rotational energy of a molecule is one which it possesses due to its its rotation about its center of gravity.

Vibrational Energy: Vibrational energy of an atom is one which it possesses due to its periodic displacement from its equilibrium positions.