Question

A student completes a problem solving for the energy change that occurs when steam condenses on a glass to form condensation as being overall exothermic. How would you score this student's work?(1 point) Responses The student is incorrect because condensation results when water particles speed up so it is endothermic. The student is incorrect because condensation results when water particles speed up so it is endothermic. The student is correct because when water molecules in steam form water droplets they absorb energy from their surroundings making the reaction endothermic. The student is correct because when water molecules in steam form water droplets they absorb energy from their surroundings making the reaction endothermic. This student is incorrect because condensation results from particles slowing down so the phase change is endothermic. This student is incorrect because condensation results from particles slowing down so the phase change is endothermic. The student is correct because as water molecules in steam slow down to form water droplets, they release energy to the surroundings as heat, so it is exothermic. The student is correct because as water molecules in steam slow down to form water droplets, they release energy to the surroundings as heat, so it is exothermic. Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The most appropriate scoring response would be:

The student is correct because as water molecules in steam slow down to form water droplets, they release energy to the surroundings as heat, so it is exothermic.

This response accurately reflects the nature of condensation, indicating that steam (which has high energy) loses energy as it condenses into liquid water (where the molecules are more ordered and have lower energy), releasing heat in the process, making the change exothermic. All other responses misunderstand the process of condensation and label it incorrectly as endothermic. Therefore, the student should receive full credit for their correct assertion regarding the energy change during condensation.