What happens when thermal energy is applied to an ice cube? (1 point)
Its water molecules lose kinetic energy, so the ice cube melts.
Its water molecules gain kinetic energy and move around more.
Its water molecules gain potential energy.
Its water molecules lose potential energy.
Its water molecules gain kinetic energy and move around more.
When thermal energy is applied to an ice cube, its water molecules gain kinetic energy and move around more. This increased kinetic energy causes the ice cube to melt.
The correct answer is: Its water molecules gain kinetic energy and move around more.
When thermal energy is applied to an ice cube, it causes the ice cube to heat up. This means that the molecules within the ice cube start to vibrate more rapidly, increasing their kinetic energy. As a result, the intermolecular forces holding the water molecules together start to weaken.
As the molecules gain more kinetic energy, their movement becomes more vigorous and the intermolecular bonds break, leading to the melting of the ice cube. The molecules transition from a fixed, rigid arrangement in the solid ice state to a more fluid, disordered arrangement in the liquid water state.
Therefore, it is correct to say that when thermal energy is applied to an ice cube, its water molecules gain kinetic energy and move around more.