Question

You have two rocks made of the same material that are at the same temperature. The first rock has half the mass of the second rock. How does the thermal energy of the two rocks compare?

- A. The rocks have the same amount of thermal energy.
- B. The second rock has four × the thermal energy of the second rock.
- C. The first rock has twice as much thermal energy as the second rock.
- *D. The first rock has half as much thermal energy as the second rock.*
- *SUBMIT*

Answer 1

The first rock with half the mass of the second rock at the same temperature will contain half the thermal energy, making option D correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing two rocks of the same material at the same temperature, the thermal energy of the rocks depends on their mass. Since thermal energy is related to both temperature and mass, and given that both rocks are at the same temperature, the rock with the larger mass will contain more thermal energy. If the first rock has half the mass of the second rock, as stated in the question, the first rock has half as much thermal energy as the second rock option D is correct.