Scientists in a laboratory were working with insulin, a protein often used to treat diabetes. They left two identical vials of insulin in different places. This table shows how the temperature of each vial changed over 15minutes.

Question

Vial Initial temperature (°C) Final temperature (°C)
Vial on the counter 2.2 4.0
Vial in the refrigerator 2.2 3.0
A.during this time thermal energy is transferred from each volume to the surroundings
b during this time thermal energy is transferred from the surroundings to each volume

Answer 1

To analyze the scenario concerning the two vials of insulin and their temperature changes over 15 minutes, we need to consider the principles of thermal energy transfer.

a. During this time thermal energy is transferred from each vial to the surroundings.

• The vial on the counter started at 2.2°C and ended at 4.0°C. This indicates that the temperature of the vial increased, meaning it absorbed thermal energy from the surroundings (such as the air in the lab). Hence, thermal energy is transferring from the surroundings to the vial on the counter.

• The vial in the refrigerator started at 2.2°C and ended at 3.0°C. In this case, the vial is also gaining thermal energy, though at a slower rate compared to the vial on the counter, because it is warmer than the environment inside the refrigerator. This means thermal energy is also transferring from the surroundings to the vial in the refrigerator.

b. During this time thermal energy is transferred from the surroundings to each vial.

In this conclusion, both vials are gaining thermal energy over the observed period.

Thus, the correct answer regarding thermal energy transfer in this scenario is that thermal energy is transferred from the surroundings to each vial. The increase in temperature for both vials demonstrates that they gained heat from their respective environments.