Question

The decrease in volume of a substance due to cooling is called__________.

Answer 1

1. As we know kinetic energy of molecules (energy possessed by virtue of motion) is directly proportional to the temperature.
2. When a solid is heated kinetic energy of its molecule increases which results in an increase in intermolecular space therefore the solid expands.
3. On the other hand, a decrease in temperature decreases the kinetic energy of molecules, as a result, intermolecular space decreases, and solid contracts.
4. Hence the right answer is: The decrease in volume of a substance due to cooling is called contraction.