An uncovered pot of soup is simmering on a stove, and there are water droplets on the wall above the back of the stove. What sequence can you infer has occurred? A. vaporization, then condensation C. melting, then boiling B. freezing, then thawing D. condensation, then vaporization
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. vaporization, then condensation.
Here is the explanation:
When the pot of soup is simmering, heat causes the liquid water in the soup to change into water vapor. This process is called vaporization, which is the change of water from a liquid state into a gaseous state. As the water vapor rises from the pot, it moves into cooler areas, such as the wall above the back of the stove.
When the warm water vapor comes into contact with the cooler surface of the wall, it loses energy and changes back into liquid water droplets. This process is called condensation, where water vapor turns back into liquid form.
This sequence of vaporization followed by condensation explains why there are water droplets on the wall. The heat causes the liquid soup to vaporize, and then the water vapor condenses on the cooler wall surface. The droplets form because the water vapor loses heat energy and returns to liquid form on the wall.
Other answer choices are incorrect because:
- Melting then boiling refers to a solid changing into a liquid (melting) and then that liquid changing into a gas (boiling). This is not the case here since the soup is already liquid.
- Freezing then thawing involves liquid turning into solid (freezing) and then back to liquid (thawing), which does not relate to the water droplets on the wall.
- Condensation then vaporization would mean liquid water first turned into droplets and then immediately into vapor, which contradicts the situation of droplets forming on the wall after vapor rises.
Thus, the correct sequence is vaporization followed by condensation.