Question

A student pours a cup of blue water with a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius into a cup of warm water with a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. She observes that the blue color sinks to the bottom of the cup. Why does this happen? Select all that apply.
Responses

because the blue color molecules are denser than the warm water

because the blue color molecules are a type of radiation

because the blue color molecules move faster than the warm water

because the blue color molecules move slower than the warm water

because the blue color molecules move through conduction

because the blue color molecules break down

Answer 1

The correct responses to explain why the blue color sinks to the bottom of the cup when blue water is poured into warmer water are:

1. **because the blue color molecules are denser than the warm water** - This suggests that the blue water is denser than the surrounding warm water, causing it to sink.

The other options do not accurately explain the phenomenon in this scenario:

- **because the blue color molecules are a type of radiation** - This is incorrect because color molecules are not a type of radiation.
- **because the blue color molecules move faster than the warm water** - This is generally not true; the warm water molecules have more kinetic energy and will typically move faster.
- **because the blue color molecules move slower than the warm water** - This is not a primary explanation for why they sink.
- **because the blue color molecules move through conduction** - This is not relevant in this context. Conduction refers to the transfer of heat, not movement through a liquid.
- **because the blue color molecules break down** - This is not applicable to the situation of mixing colored water.

Therefore, the main reason is related to the density of the blue water compared to the warm water.