Question

Two samples of water, X and Y, are at the same initial temperature above room temperature. X has a mass of 200 g, and Y has a mass of 500 g. Both samples are allowed to cool to room temperature. How do the change in temperature and the change in thermal energy of Y compare to those of X?

A) The temperature change of Y is more than X, and the thermal energy change of Y is the same as X.
B) The temperature change of Y is less than X, and the thermal energy change of Y is more than X.
C) The temperature change of Y is the same as X, and the thermal energy change of Y is the same as X.
D) The temperature change of Y is the same as X, and the thermal energy change of Y is more than X.

Answer 1

The temperature change for both samples of water will be the same, but the larger mass of water in sample Y will result in a greater change in thermal energy as compared to sample X.

Step-by-step explanation:

When two samples of water, X and Y, with mass 200 g and 500 g respectively, cool from the same initial temperature to room temperature, the change in temperature for both samples will be the same because they undergo the same temperature difference as they reach room temperature. However, the change in thermal energy of sample Y will be more than that of sample X because sample Y has a larger mass. Since thermal energy change depends on the mass, the specific heat capacity of the substance, and the change in temperature, and given that water has a specific heat capacity, a larger mass of water will result in a greater change in thermal energy for the same temperature change.

Thus, looking at the options provided, option D is correct: The temperature change of Y is the same as X, and the thermal energy change of Y is more than X.