What does the thermal energy of matter depend upon?
a
Mass, only
b
Number of particles, only
c
Temperature, only
d
Mass, number of particles and temperature
d. Mass, number of particles, and temperature all contribute to the thermal energy of matter. The thermal energy of a substance is a measure of the total kinetic energy of all its particles, so the more massive the substance, the more particles it has, and the higher the temperature, the more thermal energy it will possess.
The thermal energy of matter depends on a combination of factors, including the mass, number of particles, and temperature. Therefore, the correct answer is option d.
To understand why these factors affect thermal energy, let's break it down:
- Mass: The amount of matter present in an object determines its thermal energy. Generally, the larger the mass, the more thermal energy it has because there are more particles in motion, leading to increased thermal energy.
- Number of particles: The thermal energy also depends on the number of particles, such as atoms or molecules, in an object. If there are more particles, there will be more collisions and interactions, resulting in a higher thermal energy.
- Temperature: The temperature of an object is a measure of the average kinetic energy of its particles. Higher temperatures indicate higher average kinetic energy and, therefore, more thermal energy.
To determine the overall thermal energy of a given mass of matter, you would need to consider all these factors - mass, number of particles, and temperature.