Question

Which statement best explains what happens when energy transfer occurs between objects and particles?

A. The temperature of an object changes when heat or cold is added.
B. Heat is a substance that flows from hotter objects to colder objects.
C. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or changed from one form to another.
D. Energy transfer always moves between objects or particles with higher energy to those with lower energy.

Answer 1

The best explanation for what happens during energy transfer between objects and particles is the spontaneous transfer of energy from a higher temperature system to a lower temperature system, known as heat transfer, until both reach the same temperature, causing a temperature change.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best explains what happens when energy transfer occurs between objects and particles is: Energy is transferred spontaneously from a higher temperature system to a lower temperature system. This process is referred to as heat transfer. Heat, being a form of energy, moves from an object or substance at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature due to the temperature difference. This continues until thermal equilibrium is reached, meaning both objects are at the same temperature. The temperature change in an object occurs as a result of the heat transfer, which can be quantitatively described by the equation Q = mcΔT, where 'm' is the mass and 'c' is the specific heat of the substance.