Kinetic theory describes the movement of particles in three states of matter. If a cube of ice is put in a tin with a tight fitting lid and continuously heated, why does the lid explode off?

Before heating: Ice and air present in the tin, the ice particles vibrate about fixed positions, they do not exert a pressure on the lid at this time, air particles inside the tin hit the lid but exert the same pressure as the surrounding air outside.Once heat is applied, the ice begins to melt, the ice (solid) becomes water (liquid), the water molecules move about within the liquid, sliding over each other. This does not exert a pressure on the lid, air particles move faster/have more kinetic energy, this exerts more force/pressure on the lidVaporisation then occurs, water (liquid) becomes steam (gas), particles of water vapour move randomly and exert a force/ pressure on the lid by colliding with it. Air and water vapour particles gain more energy as they are heated further and more collisions occur. Force/pressure on the lid increases as more heat is supplied, where the force/pressure becomes great enough to blow the lid off of the tin 

TM
Answered by Tom M. Physics tutor

3272 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the total resistance across AB; between A and B are two parallel branches, one branch with a 3 Ohm and a 5 Ohm resistor, the other branch with a 4 Ohm resistor.


If a car drives at 5 ms^-1 for 10 seconds and then 6 ms^-1 for 5 seconds, how far has it travelled in total?


Outline the structure of the alpha and beta particle and give their overall charge and a material which it cannot pass through.


There is an oil tank that has a rectangular base of dimensions 2.4 m by 1.5 m. The tank is filled with oil of density 850 kg / m3 to a depth of 1.5 m. What is the mass of the oil?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning