Question Detail
Question
Which of these best explains why ice melts spontaneously at room temperature?
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Melting ice is endothermic (ΔH > 0) and increases disorder (ΔS > 0). At room temperature, the TΔS term is large enough that ΔG = ΔH - TΔS becomes negative, making the process spontaneous.
Hint
Use the Gibbs free energy equation. At room temperature, which term dominates for ice melting?