Question

For the next experiment, several students placed a marshmallow Peep chick into the microwave. What is the BEST prediction of what will happen to the Peep chick once the microwave is turned on for 15 seconds?

a) There is a direct relationship between pressure and volume so the chick will shrink.
b) Whenever there is an increase in temperature there is an increase in volume so the chick expands.
c) The gas molecules inside the marshmallow chick heat up, vibrate, increase the pressure outward and the chick expands.
d) Increased pressure due to increased temperature results in a decrease in volume so the marshmallow chick will begin to shrink.

Answer 1

Based on Charles's Law, the marshmallow Peep chick in a microwave will expand due to the gases inside it heating up and increasing in volume as a direct result of the increase in temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best prediction of what will happen to the marshmallow Peep chick when it is placed into the microwave for 15 seconds is based on Charles's Law, which states a direct relationship between volume and temperature of gases. When the microwave is turned on, the marshmallow will be exposed to increased temperatures causing any gases trapped within the marshmallow to expand. Hence, option b) is correct: 'Whenever there is an increase in temperature there is an increase in volume so the chick expands.' This expansion occurs because the gas molecules inside the marshmallow absorb the microwave radiation, which increases their kinetic energy and causes them to move more rapidly, thereby increasing the pressure and pushing outwards, resulting in the marshmallow's expansion.