Final answer:
When a balloon is popped, work is done through the application of force, which results in the energy transfer from the person to the balloon. The elastic potential energy stored in the balloon is released and converted into sound, kinetic energy of air molecules, and heat, as per the first law of thermodynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Thomas pops a balloon, work is done on the balloon, and energy is transferred. The act of popping the balloon involves applying a force to pierce it, which causes the elastic material to rupture. During this process, work is done as the force is applied over a distance - even if that distance is quite small. The energy used to apply the force is transferred from the person popping the balloon to the balloon itself.
This energy transfer results in several observable phenomena. The energy initially stored as elastic potential energy within the stretched material of the balloon is quickly released. Some of this energy transfers to the air that was inside the balloon as it escapes, causing air particles to spread out and even create a popping sound. In this case, the energy does not remain in the system - it moves on to the surrounding environment. The energy is dissipated in the form of sound waves, kinetic energy of the air molecules, and a slight increase in temperature of the surrounding air.
According to the first law of thermodynamics, the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed. In Thomas's interaction with the balloon, the energy he used to pop the balloon was transformed into other forms of energy, which were dispersed into the environment as the balloon popped.