Final answer:
When a person pushes a box across the floor, energy from their arm is transferred to the box as kinetic energy and to the floor and box as thermal energy due to friction. This transfer of energy can result in work or heat, altering the internal energy of the box and the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Energy Transfer During Work
When a person pushes a box across a floor, the concept of energy transfer is demonstrated. The arm's movement imparts kinetic energy to the box, which is then transformed into two types: energy to move the box and thermal energy due to friction. This friction between the box and the floor leads to a portion of the energy being released as heat, warming the box and the floor. Energy can be transferred as either heat or work; in this scenario, it is transferred as both. Importantly, the scientific definition of work involves applying force over a distance, resulting in a transfer of energy from the person to the box. When energy is transferred, it can change the internal energy of a system, such as the box, or its environment, like the floor, depending on the direction of the energy flow.