Final answer:
The sample of water at 175°C has more thermal energy than the other samples because it is at the highest temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which sample of water has more thermal energy, often referred to as etherm. When comparing the thermal energy of different samples, it is important to remember that thermal energy is dependent on both the temperature of the substance and its mass. However, since no mass is given and we have to compare only temperatures, we infer that the sample at the highest temperature will have the most thermal energy. So, out of the options given:
- Water at -50°C
- Water at 50°C
- Water at 175°C
- Water at 75°C
The sample of water at 175°C has more thermal energy because it is at a higher temperature than the other samples. Remember that this comparison assumes equal masses for all samples, which is typically the case when making such comparisons in physics problems.