Final answer:
When one object is 3 times hotter than another of the same size, it emits 81 times more energy due to the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which states energy emission is proportional to the fourth power of the temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
If two objects are the same size but one object is 3 times hotter than the other, according to the Stefan-Boltzmann law the hotter object will emit significantly more energy. This law states that the energy flux, which is the power emitted per square meter, is proportional to the fourth power of the temperature measured in Kelvin. Therefore, if one object is 3 times hotter, it doesn't emit 3 times more energy; it emits 34 or 81 times more energy. Hence, the correct answer is D) 81 times more energy.