When you apply increasing thermal energy to a certain material, it reaches a temperature of 50 degrees C. However, when it reaches this temperature, applying more increasing thermal energy does not cause the temperature to rise. Which of the following best explains what is happening?
a. The system is having its heat leaking out that is not going into the material
b.The material is at its phase change temperature and the thermal energy is going to change the phase instead of increase the temperature
c. The material is made of a heat resistant alloy that is preventing the thermal energy from being fully absorbed
d.The material has already absorbed enough thermal energy and cannot absorb any more
Is it d.?
b is probably better...
Yes, the correct answer is d. The material has already absorbed enough thermal energy and cannot absorb any more.
When a material reaches a specific temperature, known as its boiling point or melting point, it undergoes a phase change. During a phase change, the thermal energy is used to break or form intermolecular bonds between the particles of the material, rather than increasing the temperature.
In the given scenario, the material reached a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. If applying more thermal energy does not cause the temperature to rise any further, it suggests that the material has already undergone its phase change (boiled or melted) and cannot absorb any more thermal energy to increase its temperature. Therefore, option d. is the best explanation for the situation described.