Physics quiz question: liquid freezing into a solid

Physics 205A Quiz 7, Spring Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cf. Giambattista/Richardson/Richardson, Physics, 2/e, Multiple-Choice Question 14.8

[3.0 points.] While a liquid is freezing to a solid, its:
(A) temperature decreases.
(B) internal energy decreases.
(C) (Both of the above choices.)
(D) (None of the above choices.)

Correct answer: (B)

During this phase change, heat is leaving the liquid in order to cause it to freeze, but its temperature remains constant until the entire liquid freezes into a solid.

Student responses
Sections 30880, 30881
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 16 students
(C) : 16 students
(D) : 5 students

"Difficulty level": 41%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.87