Thermal Energy

Ava is observing a pot of water on the stove. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the temperature of the water and the kinetic energy of its molecules?

• As temperature increases, molecules slow down.

• As temperature increases, molecules speed up.

• Temperature has no effect on the motion of molecules.

• As temperature decreases, molecules speed up.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Michael and Sophia are observing a cup of hot coffee cooling down. What happens to the molecules of the coffee as the temperature decreases?

• The molecules move faster.

• The molecules stop moving.

• The molecules move more slowly.

• The molecules change direction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Abigail and Ethan are observing a pot of water being heated on a stove. How would you explain the motion of water molecules as the temperature of the water rises?

• The molecules remain still.

• The molecules move more rapidly.

• The molecules vibrate in place.

• The molecules disappear.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Benjamin places a hot cup of coffee in a cold room. What will happen to the kinetic energy of the coffee molecules over time?

• It will increase.

• It will decrease.

• It will remain the same.

• It will fluctuate randomly.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Anika is holding a balloon at a birthday party. If she heats up the balloon, what will happen to the speed of the air molecules inside?

• They will move more slowly.

• They will move faster.

• They will stop moving.

• They all move in the same direction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Michael and Emma are conducting an experiment. They put an ice cube in water, and the water's temperature begins to drop. What happens to the kinetic energy of the water molecules?

• It increases.

• It decreases.

• It stays the same.

• It becomes negative.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Michael and Nora are observing a pot of water being heated on a stove. Which of the following best explains why the water molecules move faster as the temperature increases?

• Heat makes molecules change size.

• Heat energy transfers into kinetic energy, making molecules move faster.

• Molecules change shape when heated, making them move faster.

• Molecules are unaffected by heat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Benjamin and Zoe are conducting an experiment with two cups of water, one at 20°C (68°F) and the other at 50°C (122°F). Which cup will have molecules moving with more kinetic energy, and why?

• The 20°C water because it has less heat to release.

• The 50°C water because it is hotter and has more molecular motion.

• Both will have the same kinetic energy regardless of temperature.

• The 20°C water because the molecules are closer together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Nora argues that when you cool a substance, the molecules stop moving entirely. How would you assess this statement?

• The student is correct because cooling stops all molecular motion.

• The student is incorrect because molecules always move, even at low temperatures.

• The student is partially correct; molecules stop moving at room temperature.

• The student is incorrect because molecules only stop moving when heated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Liam and Charlotte are conducting an experiment to test how the temperature of a liquid affects the speed of its molecules. Which of the following could be their dependent variable?

• The type of liquid used.

• The amount of liquid used.

• The temperature of the liquid.

• The speed of the molecules.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-4