Explain in terms of kinetic theory why an ice block melts on exposure to air
On exposure to air, the molecules in the air have a higher kinetic energy than the molecules in the ice block. This means that the air molecules are moving faster and have more energy to transfer to the molecules in the ice block. When the fast-moving air molecules collide with the slower-moving molecules in the ice block, they transfer some of their energy to the ice molecules, increasing their kinetic energy.
As the kinetic energy of the ice molecules increases, they start to vibrate and move more quickly, causing the overall temperature of the ice block to rise. Eventually, the temperature of the ice block reaches the melting point of water and the solid ice begins to melt into liquid water. This process continues until all of the ice has melted.
In summary, the higher kinetic energy of the molecules in the air transfers energy to the molecules in the ice block, causing them to vibrate and move more quickly, ultimately leading to the melting of the ice block.