In a typical phase diagram for water, what phase change is represented by the transition from point b (solid) to point c (liquid)?

• A. Melting
• B. Condensation
• C. Freezing
• D. Sublimation

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the phases at points b and c on the phase diagram. Point b is in the solid region, and point c is in the liquid region.
2. Recall that a phase change from solid to liquid is called melting, which involves the solid absorbing heat to become a liquid.
3. Understand that condensation is the phase change from gas to liquid, freezing is from liquid to solid, and sublimation is from solid directly to gas, so these do not apply here.
4. Confirm that the transition from point b (solid) to point c (liquid) corresponds to melting on the phase diagram.
5. Therefore, the phase change represented by the transition from point b to point c is melting.