To determine why the ice cube melted faster on Block B, we need to consider the characteristics of the materials and the heat transfer process.
Given the options:
A. Block B has a smaller mass than Block A - While mass could play a role in how much heat the block can store, it alone doesn’t explain faster heat transfer.
B. Block B transfers heat more slowly than Block A - This contradicts the observation since faster melting would indicate that Block B transfers heat more quickly.
C. Block B’s ice cube was initially warmer than Block A’s - The initial temperature of the ice cube was the same for both blocks, so this statement is incorrect.
D. Block B’s particles have more kinetic energy than Block A’s - This could be true if Block B is a better conductor because better conductors have particles that can more effectively transfer energy. However, this statement doesn't directly explain the speed of melting.
E. Block B is a better conductor of thermal energy than Block A - This statement directly relates to the rate of heat transfer. If Block B is a better conductor, it would transfer heat to the ice cube more quickly, causing it to melt faster.
Based on the analysis, the two statements that explain why the ice cube melted faster on Block B are:
A. Block B has a smaller mass than Block A. (While this could play a role, it's more indirect.) E. Block B is a better conductor of thermal energy than Block A.
So, the primary reason is likely E.