Question

Select all that apply. Which of the following are true about a block of ice at -10°C as you continue to apply heat.

[a] Its temperature will rise continuously until it completely melts.
[b] Its temperature will rise until reaching 0°C.
[c] Its temperature will not rise above -10°C until it melts.
[d] Its temperature will remain at 0°C until all the ice melts.

Answer 1

The temperature of ice at -10°C will rise until it reaches 0°C, where it remains constant as the ice melts. Only after all the ice is melted will the temperature of the water rise again.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the question of what happens to a block of ice at -10°C as you continue to apply heat, we need to understand how heat affects the temperature and state of water.

The correct statements are:

• b. Its temperature will rise until reaching 0°C.
• d. Its temperature will remain at 0°C until all the ice melts.

As heat is applied to the ice block, its temperature rises until it reaches 0°C. At this point, the phase change from solid to liquid begins, and despite continued heat application, the temperature of the ice does not increase until the entirety of the ice turns to liquid. This process is due to the heat of fusion, which is the energy required for the ice to undergo a phase change, without increasing in temperature. Once all the ice has melted, any further application of heat will then raise the temperature of the liquid water.