# Describe what happens to the internal energy of a block of ice as it is heated from well below 0 °C until it has completely melted, and explain why the temperature does not change while the ice is melting.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.3.2 Internal energy and energy transfers · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Heating the ice increases its internal energy / the energy stored by the particles increases
2. Below melting point, the increased internal energy raises the temperature because the kinetic energy of the particles increases
3. During melting, the energy supplied (latent heat) is used to break / overcome the forces between particles rather than raising the temperature
4. The kinetic energy of the particles does not change during melting, so the temperature remains constant

## Key terms

- [internal energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/internal-energy)
- [melting](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/melting)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-what-happens-to-the-internal-d35f3767) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.