Thermal Energy Flashcard

Front

What is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a material?

Back

temperature

Answer explanation

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a material. It reflects how fast the molecules are moving, while heat refers to energy transfer and thermal energy is the total energy of all molecules.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

A lizard sits on a hot rock to get warm. What type of thermal energy transfer is occurring? Options: conduction, convection, radiation, kinetic

Back

conduction

Answer explanation

The lizard warms up by direct contact with the hot rock, which is an example of conduction. In conduction, heat is transferred through direct contact between materials.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

the total kinetic energy in an object

Answer explanation

Thermal energy refers to the total kinetic energy of all particles in an object. It encompasses the energy due to motion at the microscopic level, making 'the total kinetic energy in an object' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Front

Directions of thermal energy transfer when a hot potato at 80 °C is placed in a bowl of soup at 40 °C, with the surrounding room at 20 °C.

Back

potato to soup, and soup to room

Answer explanation

Thermal energy transfers from the hot potato (80 °C) to the cooler soup (40 °C) until they reach thermal equilibrium. Additionally, the soup will lose heat to the surrounding room (20 °C), making the correct choice: potato to soup, and soup to room.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

Properties of iron needed to raise the temperature of 200 g of water from 25 °C to 50 °C by adding a hot piece of iron metal.

Back

temperature and mass

Answer explanation

To raise the water temperature, the student needs to know the mass of the iron to calculate heat transfer and its initial temperature to ensure it is hot enough to heat the water. Thus, the correct choice is temperature and mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

At which time was the thermal energy of the lake water the greatest? Options: 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Back

3 p.m.

Answer explanation

The thermal energy of the lake water is greatest at 3 p.m. because this is typically when the sun's intensity is highest, leading to maximum heating of the water throughout the day.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Front

Four objects are all made of aluminum. Which has the most total thermal energy? Options: a spoon at 80 °C, a cup at 30 °C, a pot at 60 °C, a rod at 120 °C

Back

a pot at 60 °C

Answer explanation

Thermal energy depends on both temperature and mass. The paper clip at 150 °C has the highest temperature, thus it possesses the most total thermal energy compared to the other objects at lower temperatures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

Scientific meaning of heat

Back

The total energy of particles in a substance

Answer explanation

Heat refers to the total energy of particles in a substance, which is related to temperature and the motion of those particles. The other options do not accurately define heat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Front

If the temperature outside increases from 30 °F to 60 °F, what happens to the kinetic energy of the air particles?

Back

It increases

Answer explanation

As the temperature increases from 30 °F to 60 °F, the kinetic energy of air particles increases. Higher temperatures mean particles move faster, leading to greater kinetic energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What process occurs when warm water contacts an ice cube, transferring energy?

Back

Conduction

Answer explanation

Conduction occurs when warm water contacts an ice cube, transferring thermal energy directly through molecular collisions. This process heats the ice, causing it to melt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4