Question

A student heats a beaker containing ice and water. He measures the temperature of the content of the beaker as a function of time. Which of the following would correctly represent the result ? Justify your choice.

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Answer 1

The correct option is D

D

The explanation for correct option:
(D)

• We know that the melting point of ice and the freezing point of water in pure states are both zero.
• This means that at this temperature, both are present. Upon heating, the temperature would actually not change but heat energy supplied would be absorbed by the ice as latent heat of fusion.
• This would result in the melting of ice.
• The temperature would remain at zero degrees till the whole ice has melted.
• Further heating would increase the temperature of water till it starts boiling at 100°C.
• Latent heat of fusion for a solid is defined as the quantity of heat required in Joules to convert 1 Kilogram of solid to liquid without any change in the temperature. The latent heat of fusion is 3.34 × 10⁵ J/Kg.

All the other curves (a,b,c) are not representing the correct order and do not follow the rules.

Hence, The curve (d) or Option (D) gives the correct representation.