Question

Using wolfram alpha or some other reference, determine which of these elements would be liquid at 525 k (assume samples are protected from air):

Answer 1

The choices for this problem are bismuth, Bi; platinum, Pt; selenium, Se; calcium, Ca and copper, Cu. I think the correct answer would be selenium. The melting point of bismuth is at a temperature of 544.4 Kelvin. At a temperature of 525 K, it would exist as solid. Platinum melts at 2041.1 K. At 525 K, platinum would be in solid form. Selenium has a melting point at 494 K so that at a temperature of 525 K, it would exist in its liquid state. Calcium has a melting point of 1112 K so it would exist as solid at 525 K. Copper has a melting point at 1358 K, so it would still exist as solid at a temperature of 525 K. Therefore, the answer would only be selenium.