How many BTUs are absorbed by 5 tons of ice?

To determine how many BTUs are absorbed by 5 tons of ice, it's essential to understand the concept of latent heat. The latent heat of fusion (the amount of energy required to change a substance from solid to liquid without changing its temperature) for ice is approximately 144 BTUs per pound.

One ton equals 2,000 pounds, so 5 tons of ice amounts to 10,000 pounds. To find the total BTUs absorbed, we multiply the weight of the ice by the latent heat of fusion:

10,000 pounds × 144 BTUs/pound = 1,440,000 BTUs.

This calculation clearly shows that 5 tons of ice absorbs 1,440,000 BTUs when it melts into water at 32°F. Therefore, the correct answer is 1,440,000 BTUs.