What are the two general ways to increase the internal energy of a substance? Describe an example of each.

Question

anonymous · Answer

do you know what internal energy is? is it chemical or something like heat?

anonymous · Answer

Internal energy is the sum of the kinetic energies and potential energies of all the atoms and molecules in a substance.

anonymous · Answer

thanks. I think one way would be to increase the kinetic energies in the substance by heating it.

anonymous · Answer

thank you :)

anonymous · Answer

the second internal energy is potential energy. for example if two electrons are close together, they repulse each other. the bonds of atoms have potential. take a look here: http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Thermodynamics/State_Functions/Potential_Energy

anonymous · Answer

oh wow that was so much help!! thank you so much! :)

anonymous · Answer

you're welcome! I love to learn about thermodynamics when I get the opportunity ;)