Question

In this experiment, you need to examine the idea of thermal energy transfer. Using a controlled experiment, what might a good question about the variables that affect thermal energy transfer be? Thermal energy transfer depends on many properties, but limit your question to only two.

Answer 1

We shall consider two properties:

1. Temperature difference

2. Thermal conductivity of the material

Use a cylindrical rod of a given material (say steel) which is insulated around its circumference.

One end of the rod is dipped in a large reservoir of water at 100 deg.C and the other end is dipped in water (with known volume) at 40 deg. C. The cold water if stored in a cylinder which is insulated on all sides. A thermometer reads the temperature of the cold water as a function of time.

This experiment will show that

(a) heat flows from a region of high temperature to a region of lower temperature.

(b) The thermal energy of a body increases when heat is added to it, and its temperature will rise.

(c) The thermal conductivity of water determines how quickly its temperature will rise. If mercury replaces water in the cold cylinder, its temperature will rise at a different rate because its thermal conductivity is different.

Step-by-step explanation: