Question

an ice cube is dropped into a glass of milk at 20°c. which statement explains the transfer of kinetic energy (ke)?

• because milk has higher ke than ice, ke is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice.
• because milk has higher ke than ice, ke is transferred from the molecules of ice to the milk.
• because ice has higher ke than milk, ke is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice.
• because ice has higher ke than milk, ke is transferred from the molecules of ice to the milk.

Explanation:

Kinetic energy (KE) of molecules is related to temperature; higher temperature means higher KE. Milk is at 20°C, ice is at 0°C (or below), so milk has higher KE. Energy transfers from higher KE (milk) to lower KE (ice molecules) to reach thermal equilibrium. So the correct statement is the first option: "Because milk has higher KE than ice, KE is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice."

Answer:

A. Because milk has higher KE than ice, KE is transferred from the milk to the molecules of ice (assuming the first option is labeled A; if options have different labels, adjust accordingly with the correct option's identifier and text).