What is the particle theory explanation for the freezing of water?

The particle theory explains that water freezes when its particles slow down and form a fixed, regular pattern.

In more detail, the particle theory of matter states that all matter is made up of tiny particles which are constantly moving. The speed and arrangement of these particles determine the state of the matter - solid, liquid or gas. When water is in its liquid state, the particles are moving relatively quickly and are arranged in a disordered, irregular pattern. They have enough energy to move around each other, which is why liquids can flow.

However, when the temperature of the water drops, the particles start to lose energy and slow down. As they slow down, the attractive forces between the particles become more significant. Eventually, the particles do not have enough energy to overcome these forces and they start to arrange themselves into a fixed, regular pattern. This is the crystalline structure that we see in ice.

In this solid state, the particles are still moving, but they are vibrating in fixed positions. They do not have enough energy to move out of these positions, which is why solids hold their shape. The process of water particles slowing down and arranging themselves into this fixed pattern is what we know as freezing.

It's important to note that freezing is a physical change, not a chemical one. The particles themselves do not change; it's their speed and arrangement that changes. This is why water can melt and freeze repeatedly without undergoing any permanent changes. The particle theory provides a clear and simple explanation for this everyday phenomenon.