Final answer:
The cup with the higher temperature has more thermal energy because thermal energy depends both on the mass and the temperature, and the increased temperature indicates more energetic particle motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where two cups contain the same mass of water but at different temperatures, the cup with a higher temperature has more thermal energy. This is because thermal energy is an extensive property, which means it depends on both the mass and the temperature of an object. In this case, while both cups have the same mass of water, the one with the higher temperature has more energy in the motion of its particles, thus more thermal energy.
The Misconceptions:
- The cup with a lower temperature doesn't have more energy simply because it has a lower temperature.
- The amount of thermal energy is not solely dependent on factors other than mass and temperature in this context.
- Despite having the same mass of water, the cup with the higher temperature will have more thermal energy due to its increased particle motion.