Question

When ice reaches its melting point at 0°C, the temperature remains constant at 0°C although energy is continually being added to the ice. The temperature remains until all the ice has melted to form water. Explain what happens to the energy that is added while ice melts​

Answer 1

The energy is "latent" (hidden/concealed), due to phase transitions, energy can move into or out of a system without resulting in any adjustment to the system's temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

Significant quantities of energy are essential to transition water between its different phases: from a solid state to a liquid form (ice to water), and from a liquid state to a gaseous state (water to steam).

This form of energy is referred to as latent heat.

This term, "latent," is used because during phase shifts, energy is introduced to or released from a system without inducing any alteration in the system's temperature. Essentially, the energy remains concealed (latent/hidden).

Hence, when ice is undergoing the melting process, its temperature does not undergo any elevation. It steadfastly remains at 0ºC until the entirety of the ice has completely transformed into water. This transformation necessitates a substantial infusion of heat energy.