Which factor explains why a cube of sugar placed in water will dissolve at a slower rate than granular sugar over time?

Question

a
The mass of the cube decreases.
b
The particles in the cube have more movement.
c
The cube has a smaller surface area.
d
The temperature of the cube decreases.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

c. The cube has a smaller surface area.

A cube of sugar has fewer points of contact with the water compared to granular sugar, which has a larger surface area due to its smaller granules. A larger surface area allows for more interactions between the sugar and water molecules, leading to a faster dissolution rate.