Sample: Observation:
1 The drop of food coloring spreads slowly.
2 The drop of food coloring spreads very quickly.
A student places a drop of food coloring into two water samples. Her observations are shown in the table . Which statement best explains the observations in the table?
The water molecules of sample 1 are moving faster.
The temperature of sample 2 is higher.
The temperature of sample 2 is close to freezing. The water molecules of sample 1 are transferring more kinetic energy.
The temperature of sample 2 is higher.
The correct statement that best explains the observations in the table is: The water molecules of sample 1 are moving faster.
To explain the observations in the table, we need to analyze the information given.
Observation 1 states that the drop of food coloring spreads slowly in sample 1, while Observation 2 states that the drop of food coloring spreads very quickly in sample 2.
From this information, we can rule out the option that states "The temperature of sample 2 is close to freezing" because a drop of food coloring spreading quickly does not necessarily indicate a freezing temperature.
Now let's consider the other two options:
- "The water molecules of sample 1 are moving faster" implies that the water molecules in sample 1 have a higher kinetic energy, enabling them to spread the food coloring more slowly. However, this contradicts Observation 2, which states that the drop of food coloring spreads very quickly in sample 2.
- "The temperature of sample 2 is higher" suggests that the higher temperature is causing the drop of food coloring to spread quickly in sample 2. This explanation aligns with Observation 2, which states that the drop of food coloring spreads very quickly in sample 2.
Based on the given observations, the best explanation for the observations in the table is that the temperature of sample 2 is higher, causing the water molecules in sample 2 to move faster and allowing the food coloring to spread quickly.