Question

warm-up
why can i smell a chocolate bar even though it is a solid?
read the description of the office mystery and write your
prediction below.

on a warm afternoon, a universal space agency office worker
returned from lunch break and noticed the office smelled like
chocolate. she didn’t see anything in the air, but she noticed
her coworker was opening the wrapper of a solid bar of
chocolate. why can the office worker smell the chocolate bar
even though it is in solid form?
using evidence from the articles you have read as
well as the sim and other activities you have
completed in this lesson, write down your initial
ideas about why this mystery occurred. be ready to
share your ideas.

write here...
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Explanation:

The problem relates to the behavior of particles in matter, specifically the concept of diffusion and the kinetic theory of matter. In Natural Science (subfield: Chemistry or Physics, but more closely Chemistry as it involves molecular behavior), particles in solids, liquids, and gases are in constant motion (kinetic energy). Even in a solid chocolate bar, the volatile molecules (responsible for the smell) have enough energy to escape the surface and move through the air (diffusion). These molecules then reach the worker's nose, allowing her to smell the chocolate. The warmth of the afternoon also increases the kinetic energy of the molecules, making diffusion faster.

Answer:

The office worker can smell the solid chocolate bar because all matter is made of tiny particles (atoms, molecules) that are in constant motion (kinetic theory of matter). The volatile molecules responsible for the chocolate's smell have enough kinetic energy to escape the surface of the solid chocolate and diffuse through the air. When these molecules reach the worker's nose, they stimulate the olfactory receptors, allowing her to perceive the chocolate's smell. The warm afternoon temperature increases the kinetic energy of the molecules, enhancing the rate of diffusion.