Thermal Energy Transfer Quiz

This diagram shows two closed, insulated compartments, where no energy can escape. Both compartments contain water of equal volume but varying temperatures of 50°C and 25°C respectively. If the temperature of the water measuring 50°C decreased by 5°C, the temperature of the water measuring 25°C would

• also decrease by approximately 5°C.

• remain the same.

• increase by approximately 5°C.

• none of the above

Answer explanation

When the 50°C water cools, it loses heat, which can cause the 25°C water to absorb some of that heat, leading to an increase in its temperature by approximately 5°C due to thermal equilibrium.

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What is always the direction of heat transfer?

• From an object of greater mass to an object of less mass

• From matter at higher temperature to matter at lower temperature

• From an object with greater thermal energy to an object with less thermal energy

• From an object with less thermal energy to an object with greater thermal energy

Answer explanation

Heat always transfers from matter at higher temperature to matter at lower temperature, as energy flows to achieve thermal equilibrium. This principle is fundamental in thermodynamics.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A celebrity chef is looking for a metal-plated pan that she can heat to as high a temperature as possible for a given input of energy. Her different pan options are copper, iron, and aluminum. All of the pans have the same mass. Observe the metal specific heat capacities shown in the table below. Which metal pan should the chef choose because it undergoes the largest temperature change for a given input of energy?

• The chef should choose the copper pan.

• The chef should choose the iron pan.

• The chef should choose the aluminum pan.

• The chef can choose any of the three pans, because all three pans will undergo the same amount of temperature change.

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During a lab, a student stirs crushed ice into warm water. How will this system behave, according to the second law of thermodynamics?

• The ice cubes will gain heat and the warm water will lose heat until the temperature in the system is uniform throughout.

• Both the ice cubes and the warm water will gain heat. Thermal equilibrium will not be reached.

• Both the ice cubes and the warm water will lose heat. Thermal equilibrium will not be reached.

• The ice cubes will lose heat and the warm water will gain heat until the temperature in the system is uniform throughout.

Answer explanation

According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat will flow from the warmer water to the colder ice cubes. The ice will gain heat, causing it to melt, while the warm water will lose heat until thermal equilibrium is reached.

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The diagram shows a copper cylinder being heated by a Bunsen burner. Point A is at the heat source. In which direction will the heat flow?

• The heat will remain at point A.

• The heat will flow toward point D only.

• The heat will flow toward points B and C only.

• The heat will flow toward points B, C, and D.

Answer explanation

Heat flows from the heat source (point A) to cooler areas. Therefore, it will move toward points B, C, and D, as they are all in the path of heat transfer from the Bunsen burner.

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If the chemical reaction AB + CD ➔ AD + BC releases heat, what is true of the chemical potential energy of the reactants and products?

• The potential energy of the reactants is higher than the potential energy of the products.

• The potential energy of the reactants is lower than the potential energy of the products.

• The potential energy of the reactants is the same as the potential energy of the products.

• Neither the reactants nor the products have potential energy.

Answer explanation

In an exothermic reaction, heat is released, indicating that the reactants have higher chemical potential energy than the products. Therefore, the correct choice is that the potential energy of the reactants (before the arrow) is higher than that of the products (after the Arrow).

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How do endothermic reactions impact the overall kinetic energy of the molecules? Select all that apply.

• Energy is absorbed during an endothermic reaction.

• Energy is released during an endothermic reaction.

• An endothermic reaction increases the overall kinetic energy of the molecules.

• An endothermic reaction reduces the overall kinetic energy of the molecules.

Answer explanation

In endothermic reactions, energy is absorbed, which leads to a decrease in the overall kinetic energy of the molecules. This is because the absorbed energy is used to break bonds rather than increase molecular motion.

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Read the passage and use the diagram to answer the next three questions. Use the diagram to answer three questions. The diagram describes the changes to matter and energy as wood burns in a campfire. Choose the words to complete the sentences. As wood burns, it undergoes a __________ change. The __________ produced by this change are forms of energy.

• physical, carbon dioxide and water

• physical, heat and light

• chemical, carbon dioxide and water

• chemical, heat and light

Answer explanation

As wood burns, it undergoes a chemical change, transforming into new substances like carbon dioxide and water. The energy released during this process includes heat and light, but the correct answer focuses on the products of combustion.

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Wood is made mostly of cellulose and has a chemical formula of C₆H₁₀O₅. The chemical equation for this combustion reaction is: C₆H₁₀O₅(s) + 6O₂(g) ➔ 6CO₂(g) + 5H₂O(g) + energy What type of reaction occurred?

• Exothermic

• Endothermic

• Neutralization

• Non-energetic

Answer explanation

The combustion of wood releases energy in the form of heat and light, indicating that it is an exothermic reaction.

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Consider the scenario in which you are sitting by the campfire on a cold night. Which description best summarizes the heat transfer that occurs?

• The burning of the wood absorbs energy from its surroundings. Heat is transferred from your body to the campfire.

• The burning of the wood releases energy to its surroundings. Heat is transferred from the campfire to your body.

• The heat released by the campfire is balanced by the heat absorbed from its surroundings, so that the heat flow out of the system equals the heat flow into the system.

• Heat does not flow between the campfire and your body, as thermal equilibrium already has been achieved.