Chapter 14.1, Problem 6RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Reason for not changing of temperature of a substance during melting and explanation for what happens to the energy being added to the system are to be given.

Concept introduction: When heat is provided to a substance such as ice, it starts melting. During melting temperature remains constant and increases only after all the ice gets converted into liquid water.

Answer to Problem 6RQ

The energy supplied to the system gets used up in changing the phase of the system from ice to liquid water resulting in constant temperature during melting.

Explanation of Solution

When heat is provided to a substance such as ice, it starts melting. This increase in heat is not reflected in the thermometer reading as the temperature remains constant during melting. This happens because the heat energy provided to the system gets used up in breaking the intermolecular forces which in turn changes the phase of the system from ice to liquid water.

Conclusion

The heat energy provided to the system gets used up in changing the phase of the system from ice to liquid water resulting in constant temperature during melting.