1. When a colder object is placed in contact with a warmer object, ____________________.
a. the particles of matter exchange places
b. the particles in the colder object slow down while they cool down the warmer object
c. the particles in the warmer object slow down while they warm up the colder object
d. the objects exchange phone numbers
2. Which of the following is not a process that transfers thermal energy? *
a. Cooking soup on the stovetop.
b. Baking a cake in the oven.
c. Warm air rising off a baseboard heater.
d. Ice kept in an insulated container.
1. The correct answer is c. the particles in the warmer object slow down while they warm up the colder object.
Explanation: When a colder object is placed in contact with a warmer object, thermal energy flows from the warmer object to the colder object until both objects reach thermal equilibrium. This happens because the particles in the warmer object have more thermal energy, and they collide with the particles in the colder object, transferring some of their energy to them. As a result, the particles in the colder object gain energy and speed up, while the particles in the warmer object lose energy and slow down until both objects reach the same temperature.
To get to this answer, you need to understand the concept of thermal energy transfer and how particles in matter interact. You can also use the knowledge that heat always flows from hotter objects to colder objects to eliminate options a and b. Finally, option d is a humorous and incorrect choice, highlighting a common technique for adding humor to multiple-choice questions.
2. The correct answer is d. Ice kept in an insulated container.
Explanation: Cooking soup on the stovetop, baking a cake in the oven, and warm air rising off a baseboard heater all involve processes that transfer thermal energy. In these examples, heat is being transferred from a heat source (stovetop, oven, or baseboard heater) to the surrounding materials (soup, cake, or air), leading to a change in the temperature of the materials involved.
On the other hand, keeping ice in an insulated container does not involve a transfer of thermal energy. In this case, the insulation acts as a barrier to prevent heat from entering the container, keeping the ice cold and preventing it from melting as quickly. Although there may be a small amount of heat transfer over time, it is significantly reduced compared to the other options.
To arrive at this answer, you need to consider the principles of heat transfer and understand that insulation is designed to minimize heat transfer. By eliminating the options that involve heat transfer processes, you can determine that option d is the correct answer.