A student conducts an experiment that involves the transfer of energy. The student places one metal spoon, one plastic spoon, and one wooden spoon in a glass that contains hot water. A small pat of butter is placed onto each spoon.
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The pat of butter on the metal spoon is the first to melt and slide down the spoon. Which of the following descriptions BEST explains the results of this experiment?
A
The metal material has a rigid structure with little molecular movement, allowing heat to transfer directly from one end of the spoon to the other.
B
The metal material is made up of well-spaced molecules, allowing the heat to travel through the air pockets and reach the butter the fastest.
C
The metal material transfers energy from molecular collisions up the length of the spoon the fastest, allowing the heat to reach the butter the fastest.
D
The metal material condenses steam quickly, allowing the heat from the steam to warm both the metal spoon and the butter on it the fastest.
The correct answer is C. The metal material transfers energy from molecular collisions up the length of the spoon the fastest, allowing the heat to reach the butter the fastest. This is because metals have a high thermal conductivity, meaning they can quickly transfer heat from one end to the other through molecular collisions.
C
The metal material transfers energy from molecular collisions up the length of the spoon the fastest, allowing the heat to reach the butter the fastest.
The correct answer is A. The metal material has a rigid structure with little molecular movement, allowing heat to transfer directly from one end of the spoon to the other.
Explanation:
In this experiment, the transfer of energy is occurring through the process of conduction. Conduction is the transfer of heat energy within a material or between materials that are in direct contact.
In option A, it states that the metal material has a rigid structure with little molecular movement. This is true for most metals as they have a closely packed arrangement of atoms and a lattice structure. Due to this rigid structure, the heat is able to transfer directly from one end of the metal spoon to the other at a faster rate compared to the other spoon materials.
Option B states that the metal material is made up of well-spaced molecules, allowing the heat to travel through the air pockets and reach the butter the fastest. This is incorrect because metals do not have well-spaced molecules or air pockets. They have a closely packed arrangement of atoms without any significant gaps or air pockets.
Option C states that the metal material transfers energy from molecular collisions up the length of the spoon the fastest, allowing the heat to reach the butter the fastest. This is partially correct as metal is a good conductor of heat, but the heat transfer occurs through the vibrating atoms transferring energy to their neighboring atoms rather than through molecular collisions.
Option D states that the metal material condenses steam quickly, allowing the heat from the steam to warm both the metal spoon and the butter on it the fastest. This option is not relevant to the experiment as no steam is mentioned in the setup.