Question

Water melts at 0°C. A student observes a liquid that melts at 10ºC. Which conclusion can the student reasonably draw?(1 point)
Responses

The molecules in water are farther apart than the molecules in the unknown liquid.
The molecules in water are farther apart than the molecules in the unknown liquid.

The bonds between water molecules are stronger than the bonds between molecules in the unknown liquid.
The bonds between water molecules are stronger than the bonds between molecules in the unknown liquid.

The electrostatic forces between molecules in the unknown liquid are stronger than the electrostatic forces between water molecules.
The electrostatic forces between molecules in the unknown liquid are stronger than the electrostatic forces between water molecules.

The average kinetic energy of water molecules is greater than the average kinetic energy of the molecules in the unknown liquid.

Answer 1

The electrostatic forces between molecules in the unknown liquid are stronger than the electrostatic forces between water molecules.

Reason: A higher melting point indicates stronger intermolecular attractions (electrostatic forces) that require more thermal energy to overcome. The other statements are inconsistent with this (and average kinetic energy is proportional to temperature, so at 10°C the unknown's molecules actually have higher average KE than water at 0°C).