75.2k views
2 votes
Compared to a swimming pool filled with water, a hot cup of coffee has higher temperature, but less thermal energy

1 Answer

6 votes
Thermal energy equation is;
Q = mcΔθ

Q = Thermal energy
m = mass
c = specific heat
Δθ = Temperature difference

the hot cup of coffee has a higher temperature. But the mass of coffee is very low compared to the mass of water in swimming pool. The maximum temperature for coffee only can go up to 100 ⁰C since the boiling point of water is 100 ⁰C. But the mass of water in swimming pool is very large and the thermal enegy is very high compared to the coffee cup due to that reason.
User Zsoobhan
by
6.1k points