Original Project
Atoms, Molecules, and States of Matter
Item AM035004: When a piece of solid wax is heated, it becomes a liquid and the wax molecules become more loosely connected to each other.
A piece of solid wax is placed in a pan and heated on a stove. After a while, the solid wax becomes a liquid. Which one of the following explains why the wax becomes a liquid?
- Some of the wax molecules get smaller.
- Some of the wax molecules are destroyed.
- The wax molecules change into water molecules.
- The wax molecules are more loosely connected to each other.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1585 | 2913 | 54% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 866 | 1800 | 48% |
| 9–12 | 715 | 1105 | 65% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 744 | 1391 | 53% |
| Female | 820 | 1484 | 55% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1476 | 2590 | 57% |
| Other | 96 | 291 | 33% |