At 298K, NH4NO3 readily dissolves in water, suggesting that the change in free energy (ΔG) favors the dissolution process. However, when NH4NO3 dissolves in water, the temperature of the water decreases. The particulate diagram above attempts to provide a microscopic view of the dissolution of NH4NO3(s) considering both the change in enthalpy (ΔH) and the change in entropy (ΔS). Which of the following explains what the particle diagram is able to illustrate and why?

answer is: naturally occurring solid, inorganic compound or element is mineral.

minerals usually have crystalline form, that means than crystal constituents (atoms, molecules or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.

for example magnetite is a mineral of iron oxide (fe₂o₃).

calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (caco₃).

dolomite is an   carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate (camg(co₃)₂).

where are the choice options?

it forms an anion that has a larger radius. anions have a negative charge and are larger than the original atom.