Question

an ice cube is dropped into a glass of milk at 20 °c. which statement explains the transfer of kinetic energy (ke)?

because ice has higher ke than milk, ke is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice.

because ice has higher ke than milk, ke is transferred from the molecules of ice to the milk.

because milk has higher ke than ice, ke is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice.

because milk has higher ke than ice, ke is transferred from the molecules of ice to the milk.

Explanation:

Kinetic energy of molecules is related to temperature; higher temperature means higher average molecular KE. The milk is at 20°C, which is warmer than the ice cube (0°C or below), so milk molecules have higher KE. KE transfers from higher KE molecules to lower KE molecules, so from milk to ice molecules.

Answer:

C. Because milk has higher KE than ice, KE is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice.