Question

question 29 of 30
what happens to ice as it melts?

a. the released energy increases the intermolecular forces.

b. the average kinetic energy of the water molecules increases.

c. the absorbed energy breaks apart intermolecular forces.

d. the average kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Melting (fusion) is an endothermic process (absorbs energy), not releases. So A is wrong.
• Option B: During melting (phase change at constant temperature), average kinetic energy (related to temperature) remains constant. The absorbed energy is used to break intermolecular forces, not increase them. So B is wrong.
• Option C: When ice melts, it absorbs heat energy. This energy is used to overcome (break apart) the intermolecular forces holding the water molecules in the solid (ice) structure, allowing them to move more freely in the liquid state. At the melting point, temperature (and thus average kinetic energy of molecules) stays constant as the energy goes into breaking intermolecular forces. So C is correct.
• Option D: As mentioned, during a phase change at constant temperature, average kinetic energy (dependent on temperature) does not decrease. So D is wrong.

Answer:

C. The absorbed energy breaks apart intermolecular forces.