Question detail
What is the equation used to calculate the change in thermal energy?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
Question
- A. Change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
- B. Change in thermal energy = mass x velocity x time
- C. Change in thermal energy = power x time
- D. Change in thermal energy = force x distance
Answer
Change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
Explanation
The correct option is "Change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change". Change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change is right because it directly matches Energy changes in systems: Required practical activity 1: determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials.. The other options are less suitable because they change the required Physics relationship, confuse the relevant energy store or use a distractor that does not answer the question.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Specific Heat Capacity
Students often confuse specific heat capacity with thermal energy, thinking they are the same concept.
Remember that specific heat capacity is the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius, while thermal energy refers to the total energy within a system.
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