Free Response Questions on Thermal Energy

Which describes how the total amount of energy changes during the energy transformation of burning a gallon of gasoline? 

• energy before it is burned is less than the energy after it is burned
• the energy before it is burned is greater than the energy after it is burned
• the energy after it is burned is equal to the energy before it is burned
• the energy after it is burned is not related to the energy before it is burned

A change from one form of energy into 

• gravitational potential energy
• work
• conservation of energy
• energy transformation

If you place your hand on a hot surface and it feels very hot, it means that heat is flowing _______.

• nowhere; heat is staying still
• in circles around your hand
• from your hand to the surface
• from the surface to your hand

Which of the following has the MOST thermal energy? 

• 1 liter pot of boiling water
• a swimming pool on a sunny day
• the entire atmosphere of Earth
• a full size candy bar that is melting

When you walk outside on a sunny day and feel the warmth from the sun, the type of heat transfer you are experiencing is __________. 

• thermal
• conduction
• convection
• radiation

If two objects or containers have the same temperature,  ____________. 

• they have the same average kinetic energy.
• they have equal thermal energies
• will change temperatures at the same rate

If two objects or containers have the same temperature,  but one has a larger mass, ____________. 

• the larger mass object has more thermal energy
• the smaller mass object has more thermal energy
• they have the same thermal energy
• they will change temperatures at the same rate

A copper rod connects two insulated beakers that contain liquids. The temperature of the liquid in Beaker A is 85°C and the temperature in Beaker B is 15°C. Over the next 60 seconds, what will occur?

• The temperature in Beaker A will decrease and the temperature in Beaker B will stay the same.
• The temperature in Beaker A will decrease and the temperature in Beaker B will increase.
• Both of the temperatures will remain the same.
• It is impossible to tell without more information.

The two insulated beakers shown contain equal amounts of identical liquids. The temperature of Beaker A is 80°C. The temperature of Beaker B is 50°C. A copper rod connects the beakers. The system is then left alone for several hours. What would you expect to find when the system is examined after this time?

• The temperature of Beaker A would be 50°C and the temperature of Beaker B would be 80°C.
• The temperatures of the two beakers would be unchanged.
• Both of the beakers would be at a temperature of 50°C.
• Both of the beakers would be at a temperature of 65°C.

In which state does water have the lowest average kinetic energy? 

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas
• Plasma