When thermal energy is applied to water, the water’s temperature rises until 100° C and then stays the same. Which is the best explanation?(1 point)

Question

Responses

When the water reaches 100° C, the flow of thermal energy reverses, maintaining an equilibrium.
When the water reaches 100° C, the flow of thermal energy reverses, maintaining an equilibrium.

When the water reaches 100° C, any increase in thermal energy goes to breaking the bonds between water molecules as the water boils and becomes steam.
When the water reaches 100° C, any increase in thermal energy goes to breaking the bonds between water molecules as the water boils and becomes steam.

When the water reaches 100° C, any increase in thermal energy becomes potential energy.
When the water reaches 100° C, any increase in thermal energy becomes potential energy.

When the water reaches 100° C, it can no longer absorb thermal energy.

Answer 1

When the water reaches 100° C, any increase in thermal energy goes to breaking the bonds between water molecules as the water boils and becomes steam. This is because at 100°C, water reaches its boiling point and any additional thermal energy applied to the water goes towards breaking the intermolecular bonds between water molecules, causing the water to transition from a liquid to a gas state. The temperature may remain constant during this transition as the energy is used for the phase change rather than heating up the water molecules.