Final answer:
The situation with a Dewar flask relates to Heat Transfer, a part of Physics that deals with the movement of thermal energy. Ice formation in this context is governed by the laws of thermodynamics, especially the second law stating heat does not spontaneously move from cold to hot. Kinetic energy is mostly transferred from the hot water molecules to the ice, facilitating melting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario involving a Dewar flask and the formation of ice is related to Heat Transfer, which is a sub-discipline of Physics. When discussing ice melting or forming in various contexts, we are referring to how thermal energy is transferred between different objects or substances. For example, an ice cube placed in a cup of hot water will result in kinetic energy being transferred from the hot water molecules to the ice molecules, causing the ice to melt. This is described by the second law of thermodynamics which states that heat cannot transfer energy spontaneously from colder to hotter objects (see statement 59 in reference). Therefore, the correct answer for the first question is c, 'Kinetic energy transferred mostly from the hot water molecules to the water molecules in the ice.'
In the case of a Dewar flask placed in the freezer, the formation of ice on the surface is due to the heat flow from the warmer water to the cooler air of the freezer, through the ice layer. The rate of heat transfer through this layer must be equal to the rate of freezing, a calculation which would require knowledge of various thermodynamic properties and formulae. The phenomenon is described by heat transfer principles and is a classic physics problem that involves concepts from thermodynamics.