Which of the following has the lowest melting point? This question often arises in various scientific and practical contexts, such as material science, chemistry, and even everyday life. The melting point of a substance is a critical property that determines its behavior under heat, and it can have significant implications for its applications. In this article, we will explore several substances and their melting points to determine which one has the lowest melting point among them.
The melting point of a substance is defined as the temperature at which it changes from a solid to a liquid state. It is an important physical property that can vary widely among different materials. Some substances have very high melting points, such as diamond (3550°C) and tungsten (3422°C), while others have relatively low melting points, such as sodium (97.8°C) and potassium (63.5°C).
To answer the question of which of the following has the lowest melting point, we need to consider a list of substances. Let’s take a look at some examples:
1. Sodium chloride (NaCl): This common salt has a melting point of 801°C.
2. Water (H2O): The melting point of water is 0°C, which is the freezing point.
3. Mercury (Hg): Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and has a melting point of -38.83°C.
4. Ethanol (C2H5OH): Ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, has a melting point of -114.1°C.
5. Sodium (Na): Sodium is a soft, silvery metal with a melting point of 97.8°C.
Among these substances, ethanol has the lowest melting point at -114.1°C. This makes it an excellent solvent for various applications, including the production of alcoholic beverages and as a cleaning agent. Ethanol’s low melting point also allows it to be used as a fuel in some applications, such as in alcohol stoves.
It is important to note that the melting point of a substance can be influenced by various factors, such as pressure, impurities, and the presence of other substances. For example, adding impurities to a pure substance can lower its melting point, a phenomenon known as depression of melting point.
In conclusion, when considering which of the following substances has the lowest melting point, ethanol emerges as the clear winner with a melting point of -114.1°C. This property makes it a versatile material with numerous applications in various fields.
