# A ice cube is placed in a glass of warm lemonade. After a few minutes, the lemonade cools down and the ice cube melts. Explain the energy transfers involved as the ice cube melts and the lemonade cools to reach the same temperature.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 3.4 Thermal physics · Explain · 5 marks

> An ice cube at 0 °C is dropped into a glass of warm lemonade at 20 °C. After several minutes, both the ice and lemonade reach the same temperature.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Thermal energy transfers from the warmer lemonade to the cooler ice cube
2. Energy is transferred until both reach the same temperature (thermal equilibrium)
3. The thermal energy absorbed by the ice causes it to change state from solid to liquid (melt)
4. The temperature of the ice does not rise while it is melting (temperature stays at 0 °C during the change of state)
5. The lemonade loses thermal energy so its temperature decreases

## Key terms

- [temperature](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/temperature)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-ice-cube-is-placed-in-f6da63ed) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.