Thermal Energy Review

What is the transfer of thermal energy between objects at different temperatures called?

• Kinetic Energy

• Heat

• Potential Energy

• Chemical Energy

Answer explanation

The transfer of thermal energy between objects at different temperatures is called heat. It occurs naturally from hotter to cooler objects until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Thermal energy is the energy created by the movement of particles within a substance that is responsible for _______.

• Light

• Sound

• Temperature

• Color

Answer explanation

Thermal energy arises from the movement of particles, which directly influences the temperature of a substance. Therefore, the correct answer is temperature, as it reflects the average kinetic energy of those particles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What is temperature a measure of?

• The amount of heat in a substance

• The average kinetic energy in a substance's particles

• The total energy in a substance

• The speed of particles in a substance.

Answer explanation

Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of a substance's particles, indicating how fast they move. This is why the correct answer is 'The average kinetic energy in a substance's particles'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

When thermal energy increases, what happens to particle motion, kinetic energy, and temperature? Fill in the blank: Particle motion ______, kinetic energy ______, and temperature ______.

• A) decreases, decreases, decreases

• B) increases, increases, increases

• C) stays the same, stays the same, stays the same

Answer explanation

When thermal energy increases, particles move faster, leading to higher kinetic energy and an increase in temperature. Therefore, particle motion increases, kinetic energy increases, and temperature increases, making B the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What happens to your hand when you hold an ice cube?

• It increases in thermal energy

• It decreases in thermal energy

• It stays the same

• It melts the ice cube.

Answer explanation

When you hold an ice cube, heat transfers from your hand to the ice, causing your hand to lose thermal energy. This results in a decrease in thermal energy, making 'It decreases in thermal energy' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Fill in the blank: A thermometer is an instrument that measures ________.

• speed

• temperature

• weight

• volume

Answer explanation

A thermometer is specifically designed to measure temperature, making 'temperature' the correct choice. The other options—speed, weight, and volume—are not measured by a thermometer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which of the following is NOT a method of heat transfer?

• A) Conduction

• B) Convection

• C) Radiation

• D) Reflection

Answer explanation

Reflection is not a method of heat transfer; it refers to the bouncing back of light or sound waves. The correct methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

When heating a pot over a fire, the particles in the pot start to quickly _______ as they absorb the heat energy.

• Freeze

• Vibrate

• Melt

• Expand

Answer explanation

As the pot absorbs heat energy, its particles gain energy and start to vibrate more rapidly. This increased vibration is a key characteristic of heating, making 'vibrate' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which of the following is an example of a conductor?

• Oven mitt

• Wool gloves

• Iron skillet

• Cardboard

Answer explanation

An iron skillet is a good conductor of heat, making it suitable for cooking. In contrast, oven mitts, wool gloves, and cardboard are insulators, designed to prevent heat transfer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

In the process of convection, heated particles in a liquid become ______ and rise to the top.

• A) Heavier

• B) Lighter

• C) Cooler

• D) Denser

Answer explanation

In convection, heated particles gain energy, causing them to become lighter and less dense. This allows them to rise to the top, while cooler, denser particles sink. Thus, the correct answer is B) Lighter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4