Question
How can a stationary solid metal sphere have kinetic energy, the energy of motion?
A The molecules are moving around
B It can be rolled
C The atoms are vibrating
D It is made of atoms which have potential energy
A The molecules are moving around
B It can be rolled
C The atoms are vibrating
D It is made of atoms which have potential energy
Answers
GPT-4o mini
A stationary solid metal sphere does not have overall kinetic energy in terms of translational motion since it is not moving as a whole. However, there are different forms of energy present within it. Here’s a breakdown of the options:
A. The molecules are moving around - This is true, as the molecules within the metal sphere have thermal motion, contributing to internal energy, but it is not kinetic energy of the sphere as a whole in terms of motion through space.
B. It can be rolled - This refers to potential motion, but if the sphere is stationary, it does not have kinetic energy through rolling.
C. The atoms are vibrating - This is also true. In a solid material, atoms vibrate about their equilibrium positions even when the whole object is stationary. These vibrational motions contribute to the thermal energy of the material.
D. It is made of atoms which have potential energy - While atoms can have potential energy due to their positions relative to each other in a solid, this does not pertain directly to kinetic energy.
The most accurate choice when discussing the kinetic energy associated with a stationary solid metal sphere, in terms of internal motion, is **C. The atoms are vibrating**. These vibrations represent the thermal energy within the sphere, but overall, the sphere as a whole has no kinetic energy with respect to motion through space.
A. The molecules are moving around - This is true, as the molecules within the metal sphere have thermal motion, contributing to internal energy, but it is not kinetic energy of the sphere as a whole in terms of motion through space.
B. It can be rolled - This refers to potential motion, but if the sphere is stationary, it does not have kinetic energy through rolling.
C. The atoms are vibrating - This is also true. In a solid material, atoms vibrate about their equilibrium positions even when the whole object is stationary. These vibrational motions contribute to the thermal energy of the material.
D. It is made of atoms which have potential energy - While atoms can have potential energy due to their positions relative to each other in a solid, this does not pertain directly to kinetic energy.
The most accurate choice when discussing the kinetic energy associated with a stationary solid metal sphere, in terms of internal motion, is **C. The atoms are vibrating**. These vibrations represent the thermal energy within the sphere, but overall, the sphere as a whole has no kinetic energy with respect to motion through space.