A student places a drop of food coloring into two water samples. Her observations are shown in the table. Which statement best explains the observations in the table?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

The temperature of sample 2 is close to freezing.
The temperature of sample 2 is close to freezing.

The temperature of sample 2 is higher.
The temperature of sample 2 is higher.

The water molecules of sample 1 are transferring more kinetic energy.
The water molecules of sample 1 are transferring more kinetic energy.

The water molecules of sample 1 are moving faster.

Answer 1

To determine which statement best explains the observations regarding the behavior of food coloring in the two water samples, we need to consider the typical effects of temperature on molecular movement and diffusion.

If the food coloring spreads more in one sample than the other, it indicates that molecules in that sample are moving faster, which is usually due to a higher temperature. Therefore, if the observations show that the food coloring spreads more in sample 1, the best explanation would be:

The water molecules of sample 1 are moving faster.

Using this reasoning, if the temperature in sample 1 is higher, it results in faster-moving water molecules which leads to a more rapid diffusion of the food coloring.