Energy Transformation and Thermal Energy Quiz

Using the law of conservation of energy, identify if the following scenario of energy transformation is possible: A ball is dropped, and its potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as it falls. The total energy in the system remains the same before and after the fall.

• Possible

• Not Possible

Identify how kinetic and potential energy change in a scenario. As an object rises, kinetic energy decreases while potential energy increases because the object is getting higher. As an object falls, potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases because it is speeding up as it gets closer to the ground. Example: Imagine a roller coaster at the top of a hill. At the top: The roller coaster has maximum gravitational potential energy and minimum kinetic energy. As it moves down: The gravitational potential energy decreases, and the kinetic energy increases.

• Kinetic energy increases as an object rises.

• Potential energy decreases as an object rises.

• Kinetic energy decreases as an object rises.

• Potential energy remains constant as an object falls.

Compare and contrast thermal energy, temperature, specific heat, and heat. Which of the following best describes 'specific heat'?

• The total energy of all particles in a substance.

• A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.

• The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.

• The transfer of thermal energy from one object to another.

Identify factors that affect an object’s thermal energy. Factors that affect thermal energy include:

• Mass: More mass means more particles, which means more thermal energy.

• Temperature: Higher temperature means the particles are moving faster, increasing thermal energy.

• Specific Heat: Materials with a high specific heat (like water) require more energy to increase temperature.

Compare and contrast the different ways energy moves as heat (conduction, convection, and radiation) and identify examples of each.

• Conduction: The transfer of heat through direct contact. Example: A metal spoon heating up when placed in a pot of hot soup.

• Convection: The transfer of heat in liquids and gases through the movement of the fluid itself.

• Radiation: The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Example: The warmth felt from sunlight.

When the mass of an object increases, the potential energy ________. (increases/decreases/unchanged)

A power plant burns fossil fuels to release energy stored in the bonds. What type of energy are they harnessing?

• Chemical energy

• Thermal energy

• Nuclear energy

• Electrical energy

A windmill spins gears in response to the wind. This energy of the moving parts of the windmill is harnessed by a power company. What type of energy is occurring in the windmill?

• Kinetic energy

• Potential energy

• Thermal energy

• Chemical energy

Does either height or mass affect the potential energy of an object more significantly?

• Height affects potential energy more significantly.

• Mass affects potential energy more significantly.

• Both height and mass affect potential energy equally.

• Neither height nor mass affects potential energy significantly.

Ball A and Ball B are rolled down a ramp and into a cup. When Ball A hits a cup, the cup moves back 5 inches. When Ball B hits the same cup, the cup moves back 2 inches. Which ball had more energy based on these results? Use the definition of energy to justify your answer. Write your answer in CER format.

• Ball A had more energy because it moved the cup further.

• Ball B had more energy because it moved the cup less.

• Both balls had the same energy.

• Energy cannot be determined from the distance moved.