The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on a logical analysis of the provided experimental results, the correct answer is D.
The experiment demonstrates the principle of thermal conduction, which is the transfer of heat through a material. The prompt states that butter melted first on the metal spoon, while it melted much later and at a similar rate on the plastic and wood spoons. This observation allows us to evaluate the accuracy of the first three conclusions.
Conclusion A states that the kinetic energy from the hot water was transferred to the butter, causing it to melt. This is a correct statement. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy, which is the collective kinetic energy of particles. The fast moving particles in the hot water transferred their energy through the spoon to the butter particles, causing them to vibrate, break their solid structure, and melt.
Conclusion B, which likely states that heat is transferred from an object with more thermal energy to one with less, is also a correct conclusion. This describes the fundamental direction of heat flow, a basic law of thermodynamics. The hot water (higher thermal energy) transferred heat to the colder spoons and butter (lower thermal energy).
Conclusion C states that the time it takes for the butter to melt depends on the material of the spoon. This is the primary finding of the experiment. The metal spoon, being a good thermal conductor, transferred heat quickly and melted the butter first. Wood and plastic are thermal insulators, so they transferred heat slowly, resulting in a longer melting time. The experimental results directly prove this conclusion.
Since conclusions A, B, and C are all accurate and supported by the experiment, the only remaining option must be the one that is NOT an accurate conclusion. Therefore, by the process of elimination, D is the correct answer.
