A 100-g cube of ice is heated from −120°C to +120°C. In which of the following processes is the greatest amount of energy absorbed by this material?
A) warming ice to the melting point
B) melting the ice to become water
C) warming the resulting water
D) vaporizing the water to become steam
E) heating the steam

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process of vaporizing water requires the largest amount of energy absorption, as it involves breaking the intermolecular bonds between water molecules. The heat of vaporization required is much higher than the heat of fusion (for melting ice) or specific heat (for warming the resulting water). Heating steam (option E) requires even more energy, but it is not relevant in this case as the question is asking about a 100-g cube of ice.

A 100-G Cube of Ice Is Heated from −120°C to +120°C