A student places ice cubes that are 0 °C in a bucket of water at 50 °C. How will heat transfer and the temperature change?

Question

a
Thermal energy will flow from the ice cubs to the water until they both reach equilibrium 25 °C
b
Thermal energy will flow from the water to the ice cubes until they reach equilibrium at 50°C.
c
Thermal energy will flow from the water to the ice cubes until they reach equilibrium at 25°C.
d
Thermal energy will flow from the ice cubs to the water until they both reach equilibrium 0 °C

Answer 1

To analyze the situation of placing ice cubes at 0 °C in water at 50 °C, we need to consider the principles of heat transfer and thermal equilibrium. When two substances at different temperatures are in contact, heat will flow from the warmer substance to the cooler substance until they reach the same temperature.

In this scenario:

• The water is at a higher temperature (50 °C).
• The ice cubes are at a lower temperature (0 °C).

Heat will flow from the warmer water to the cooler ice cubes, causing the ice cubes to absorb thermal energy. This process will continue until thermal equilibrium is reached.

The equilibrium temperature will be below 50 °C due to the energy required to melt the ice cubes into water, since the phase change (melting) absorbs heat without a change in temperature until all the ice has melted.

Thus, the correct choice from the options provided is:

c Thermal energy will flow from the water to the ice cubes until they reach equilibrium at 25°C.

While the exact final equilibrium temperature may vary depending on the mass of the ice and water involved, this option best captures the general expectation of heat transfer in this scenario.