- Identify the freezing point for each substance from the provided table.
- Define "before reaching 0 °C" as a freezing point temperature greater than 0 °C.
- Compare each freezing point to 0 °C: Benzene (5.50 °C > 0 °C), Water (0.00 °C = 0 °C), Butane (-138 °C < 0 °C), Nitrogen (-210 °C < 0 °C).
- Conclude that only benzene solidifies above 0 °C, making option b the correct choice.
- Final answer: \(\boxed{b}\)
Explanation
- Analyzing the Cooling Process
We are analyzing the freezing points of four different substances: benzene, water, butane, and nitrogen. The freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which it transitions from a liquid to a solid state. As we cool these substances from room temperature (which is typically above 20 °C), the temperature decreases. We need to identify which of these substances reaches its freezing point while the temperature is still above 0 °C, which is what "solidifying before the temperature reaches 0 °C" means in this context.
- Comparing Freezing Points to 0 °C
The given freezing points are as follows:
- Benzene: \(5.50\ ^{\circ}C\)
- Water: \(0.00\ ^{\circ}C\)
- Butane: \(-138\ ^{\circ}C\)
- Nitrogen: \(-210\ ^{\circ}C\)
We are looking for a substance whose freezing point \(T_f\) satisfies the condition \(T_f > 0\ ^{\circ}C\).
- Determining the Correct Substance
Now, let us evaluate the condition \(T_f > 0\ ^{\circ}C\) for each substance:
- For benzene: \(5.50 > 0\), which is true.
- For water: \(0.00 > 0\), which is false.
- For butane: \(-138 > 0\), which is false.
- For nitrogen: \(-210 > 0\), which is false.
Since only benzene has a freezing point greater than \(0\ ^{\circ}C\), it is the only substance that will solidify before the cooling process reaches the \(0\ ^{\circ}C\) mark.
- Conclusion
Based on our analysis, the substance that solidifies before the temperature reaches \(0\ ^{\circ}C\) is benzene, which corresponds to option b. Therefore, the correct answer is b.
Examples
In real-world applications, understanding the freezing points of different materials is crucial in industries like food science and chemical engineering. For example, when creating a custom ice cream flavor or a specific frozen chemical compound, knowing exactly when a mixture will solidify allows engineers to calibrate their freezers correctly. Just like the benzene solidifying at a warmer temperature than water, some ingredients in a food mixture will freeze earlier than others, affecting the final texture and composition of the product. By tracking these points, manufacturers ensure consistency and quality in their products.