Thermal Energy and Heat Transfer Quiz

Sophia and Noah are having a friendly debate about how heat flows between two objects. Can you help them settle it?

• From the cooler object to the warmer object

• From the warmer object to the cooler object

• Equally in both directions

• It does not flow between objects

Answer explanation

Heat flows from the warmer object to the cooler object due to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that energy naturally moves towards equilibrium, resulting in the transfer of heat until both objects reach the same temperature.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Scarlett and Aiden are having a friendly debate about what happens when two objects reach thermal equilibrium. Can you help them figure it out?

• Energy continues to flow, and temperatures remain different

• Energy flow stops, and temperatures become equal

• Energy flow stops, but temperatures remain different

• Energy continues to flow, and temperatures become equal

Answer explanation

When two objects reach thermal equilibrium, energy flow stops as they no longer exchange heat, and their temperatures equalize. Thus, the correct answer is that energy flow stops, and temperatures become equal.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-3

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NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Liam and Isla are on a science adventure, exploring how heat travels through a metal rod. Can you help them discover which method of heat transfer works best in solids?

• Conduction

• Convection

• Radiation

• Evaporation

Answer explanation

Conduction is the primary method of heat transfer in solids, as it involves the direct transfer of heat through molecular collisions. In contrast, convection and radiation are more effective in fluids and gases.

Describe the process of convection and provide an example.

• Heat transfer through direct contact; example: touching a hot stove

• Heat transfer through fluid movement; example: boiling water

• Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves; example: sunlight

• Heat transfer through phase change; example: melting ice

Answer explanation

Convection is heat transfer through fluid movement, where warmer, less dense fluid rises and cooler, denser fluid sinks. An example is boiling water, where heat causes water to circulate.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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During a science experiment, Meron and Ethan observed an exothermic reaction. Is energy being released or gained?

• Released

• Gained

• Neither

• Both

Answer explanation

In an exothermic reaction, energy is released into the surroundings. This is why the correct answer is 'Released', as the system loses energy, resulting in a temperature increase in the environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Maya and Ava are having a science debate! Can you help them out? Define specific heat.

• The amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance by 1°C

• The amount of heat required to change the state of a substance

• The amount of heat required to change the volume of a substance

• The amount of heat required to change the pressure of a substance

Answer explanation

Specific heat is defined as the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance by 1°C. This distinguishes it from other processes like changing state, volume, or pressure.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Alyssa and Jacob are comparing two substances. What does it mean when one of the substances has a high specific heat?

• It heats up and cools down quickly

• It requires a lot of energy to change its temperature

• It does not change temperature

• It changes state easily

Answer explanation

A substance with a high specific heat requires a lot of energy to change its temperature, meaning it heats up and cools down slowly. This property is crucial for regulating temperatures in various environments.

Alyssa is conducting an experiment in her science class. She needs to convert 123°C to °F. Show your work.

• 253.4°F

• 250.0°F

• 273.4°F

• 255.4°F

Answer explanation

To convert °C to °F, use the formula °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For 123°C: (123 × 9/5) + 32 = 253.4°F. Thus, the correct answer is 253.4°F.

Describe the first law of thermodynamics.

• Energy can be created or destroyed

• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

• Energy is always lost as heat

• Energy is always gained in a system

Answer explanation

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This means the correct choice is that energy is conserved in a system.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Jessica is conducting an experiment to find the density of a liquid. What are the units of density?

• kg/m

• g/mL

• m/s²

• g/m²

Answer explanation

Density is defined as mass per unit volume. The correct unit for density is g/cm³, which expresses grams per cubic centimeter. The other options represent different physical quantities and are not units of density.