Question

1. sequence assume that water, mercury, and gallium are all at 40°c. as the temperature drops, which substance will freeze first? which will be the last to freeze?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall freezing points

The freezing point (melting point, since freezing and melting are reverse processes) of water is \(0^\circ\text{C}\), mercury is \(-38.83^\circ\text{C}\), and gallium is \(29.76^\circ\text{C}\).

Step2: Compare freezing points

We have the freezing points: gallium (\(29.76^\circ\text{C}\)) > water (\(0^\circ\text{C}\)) > mercury (\(-38.83^\circ\text{C}\)). As temperature drops from \(40^\circ\text{C}\), the substance with the highest freezing point will freeze first (since it reaches its freezing point earliest), and the one with the lowest freezing point will freeze last (since it reaches its freezing point latest).

Answer:

Gallium will freeze first (because its freezing point \(29.76^\circ\text{C}\) is the highest among the three, so as temperature drops from \(40^\circ\text{C}\), it will reach its freezing point first). Mercury will be the last to freeze (because its freezing point \(-38.83^\circ\text{C}\) is the lowest among the three, so it will take the longest to reach its freezing point as temperature drops from \(40^\circ\text{C}\)).