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QPage 46: Q6: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Calorimetry Page 46: Q6 Solution: When a solid melts or a liquid boils, the temperature does not…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often think the supplied heat raises kinetic energy, but during a phase change it is stored as potential energy in breaking bonds. Temperature stays constant because kinetic energy remains unchanged. The heat added is $Q = Delta U_{ ext{pot}}$, not an increase in $T$.

When a solid melts or a liquid boils, the temperature does not increase even when heat is supplied. Where does the energy go?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** When a solid melts or a liquid boils, the heat supplied is actually used to break the bond forces between the molecules and bring them apart till the body changes its state completely. Thus, the energy is transferred to the molecules as kinetic energy and the temperature of body remains constant in the process.[citation:1][citation:13]

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