If the lid of a glass bottle does not open, how may it be opened using your knowledge of the effects of heat? Explain based on the kinetic energy of molecules.

Question

Accepted Answer

The metal lid can be heated slightly, for example by running hot water over it or holding it near a warm surface. Heating increases the kinetic energy of the metal's molecules, making them vibrate faster. This weakens the force of attraction between them, causing the molecules to move farther apart, so the metal lid expands. Since metal typically expands more than glass for the same amount of heating, the lid becomes slightly larger than the neck of the glass bottle, loosening its grip and making it easier to twist open.