Question

when ice melts, what happens to its thermal energy? *
1 point
thermal energy is released to the surroundings.
thermal energy is absorbed from the surroundings.
no thermal energy is exchanged.
thermal energy is converted to light energy.

Explanation:

Melting is a phase change from solid (ice) to liquid (water). For ice to melt, it needs to gain energy to break the intermolecular forces holding it in a solid structure. This energy comes from the surroundings, so thermal energy is absorbed from the surroundings. The first option is incorrect as releasing energy would be for processes like freezing. The third is wrong as energy exchange occurs during phase changes. The fourth is incorrect as melting doesn't convert thermal energy to light energy.

Answer:

B. Thermal energy is absorbed from the surroundings.