Chapter 17.1, Problem 1SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The process of solidification of melted liquid wax is endothermic or exothermic.

Concept Introduction:

The system is the part of the universe that is taken under consideration.

Surroundings are the remaining portion of the universe excluding the system.

Answer to Problem 1SP

The process of solidification of melted liquid wax is exothermic.

Explanation of Solution

An endothermic process is one in which heat is absorbed by the system. Thus, the direction of the heat flow is from the surroundings to the system.

An exothermic process is one in which heat is released by the system. Thus, the direction of the heat flow is from the system to the surroundings.

Thus, in the given scenario, wax is our system, and the rest is surroundings. During the solidification of melted wax, the wax gets cold which means the heat has been lost by the wax (system) to the surroundings, thus the process will be an exothermic process.

Conclusion

Thus, the process of solidification of liquid wax is exothermic.