Final answer:
The hypothesis states that an increase in the mass of the cylinder will result in a higher temperature of the water. This is because the increased mass of the cylinder requires more energy to heat up, which is transferred to the water, increasing its temperature. Potential energy is converted to thermal energy in a system through the process of heating.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this experiment, the hypothesis about how the mass of the cylinder affects the temperature of the water can be stated as:
If the mass of the cylinder increases, then the temperature of the water will increase, because the increased mass of the cylinder will require more energy to heat up, resulting in a higher temperature of the water.
Potential energy is converted to thermal energy in a system through the process of heating. When the mass of the cylinder increases, more energy is required to raise its temperature, and this energy is transferred to the water, increasing its temperature. Therefore, an increase in the mass of the cylinder leads to a higher temperature of the water.