Which of the following is true for popcorn kernels and the water molecules inside them during popping?

a. The temperature of the kernels increases.
b. The water molecules are destroyed.
c. The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases.
d. The mass of the water molecules changes.

PLEASE EXPLAIN TOO IF YOU CAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

increased temperature is indicative of increasing KE of molecules.

To determine which of the given options is true for popcorn kernels and the water molecules inside them during popping, let's evaluate each option individually and explain the reasoning behind it:

a. The temperature of the kernels increases.
During the popping process, the temperature of the kernels does increase. When the kernels are heated, the moisture inside them turns into steam, and steam occupies more volume than water. This rapid increase in volume creates pressure inside the kernels, causing them to heat up and eventually pop.

b. The water molecules are destroyed.
The water molecules inside the popcorn kernels are not destroyed during popping. Instead, they undergo a phase change from liquid to gas. As the kernels heat up, the water molecules evaporate and turn into steam. While the water molecules transform and their state changes, they are not destroyed or eliminated.

c. The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases.
The kinetic energy of the water molecules inside the popcorn kernels does increase during popping. As the kernels are heated, the water molecules gain energy, causing them to move more rapidly and with greater speed. This increase in kinetic energy contributes to the build-up of pressure inside the kernel and eventual popping.

d. The mass of the water molecules changes.
The mass of the water molecules inside the popcorn kernels does not change during popping. While the state of the water molecules changes from liquid to gas, the total mass of the water molecules remains the same. The mass is conserved throughout the process, meaning it neither increases nor decreases.

Therefore, based on the explanations above, the correct option that is true for popcorn kernels and the water molecules inside them during popping is:

c. The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases.

The correct answer is C. The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases during popping.

During the popping process, popcorn kernels are heated. The heat causes the water molecules inside the kernels to be converted into steam. As the temperature rises, the water molecules gain kinetic energy, which is the energy associated with their motion.

As the water molecules gain energy, they move faster and more vigorously. This increased kinetic energy causes the water molecules to vaporize, transforming from their liquid state to a gaseous state (steam). The pressure from the steam builds up inside the kernel, ultimately causing it to rupture and transform into the fluffy popcorn we know.

Option A (The temperature of the kernels increases) is partially correct. The temperature does increase during the popping process, but it is primarily the result of the heat source heating the kernels, rather than an internal increase in temperature within the kernels themselves.

Option B (The water molecules are destroyed) is incorrect. The water molecules are not destroyed during popping; instead, they are transformed into steam.

Option D (The mass of the water molecules changes) is also incorrect. The mass of the water molecules does not change during popping. The water molecules are simply converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state.