Chapter 12, Problem 54A

To determine

To identify: Whether the wax will release or absorb energy during freezing.

Answer to Problem 54A

The wax will release energy during freezing.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Freezing basically means changing temperature from higher to lower. If anything freezes it feels colder than what it was before.

Due to freezing, matter changes its state from liquid to solid and transformation from one state to another state involves latent heat.

Freezing is an exothermic process. When wax freezes, it gives up some of its energy which is latent heat of freezing to the surrounding.

When wax lose energy, the molecules move slower and therefore kinetic energy is decreased. So, the molecule is locked in places or freezes.