---
title: "A student places a sample of liquid water, \\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}(l)\\), at \\(0^\\circ\\text{C}\\) into an environment maintained at \\(-5^\\circ\\text{C}\\). Over time, the sample freezes completely to form ice, \\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}(s)\\), at \\(0^\\circ\\text{C}\\). Which of the following statements correctly classifies the freezing process and provides the valid particulate-level justification?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120013/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:31:53+00:00"
---

# A student places a sample of liquid water, \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)\), at \(0^\circ\text{C}\) into an environment maintained at \(-5^\circ\text{C}\). Over time, the sample freezes completely to form ice, \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\), at \(0^\circ\text{C}\). Which of the following statements correctly classifies the freezing process and provides the valid particulate-level justification?

A student places a sample of liquid water, \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)\), at \(0^\circ\text{C}\) into an environment maintained at \(-5^\circ\text{C}\). Over time, the sample freezes completely to form ice, \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\), at \(0^\circ\text{C}\). Which of the following statements correctly classifies the freezing process and provides the valid particulate-level justification?

- **A.** It is endothermic because intermolecular hydrogen bonds must be broken to allow water molecules to arrange into a rigid crystal lattice.
- **B.** It is endothermic because thermal energy is absorbed by the system as the average kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases.
- **C.** It is exothermic because intermolecular hydrogen bonds are established and stabilized as molecules become fixed in a crystal lattice, releasing energy to the surroundings.
- **D.** It is exothermic because intramolecular covalent \(\text{O}-\text{H}\) bonds are formed between hydrogen and oxygen atoms as the liquid solidifies.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120013/*