Exam-style question
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If a substance cools slowly, what can be inferred about its thermal energy transfer?.
- A.It is losing thermal energy rapidly.
- B.It is gaining thermal energy.
- C.It is losing thermal energy gradually.
- D.It has reached thermal equilibrium.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It is losing thermal energy gradually.
Explanation
Why this works
The evidence of slow cooling indicates that the substance is losing thermal energy at a gradual rate. This suggests that the rate of energy transfer is low, which implies that the surrounding environment is not significantly cooler than the substance.
Therefore, we conclude that the substance is losing thermal energy gradually.
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