Question
Explain the effect on thermal energy for each of the following:
1. The kinetic energy of the particles increases
2. The mass of the substance is decreased
3. The temperature of the substance is decreased
1. The kinetic energy of the particles increases
2. The mass of the substance is decreased
3. The temperature of the substance is decreased
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Thermal energy is the internal energy present in a system due to the kinetic energy of its particles. Here's how each scenario affects thermal energy:
1. **The kinetic energy of the particles increases:**
- When the kinetic energy of the particles increases, it typically means that the temperature of the substance is increasing. As the particles move faster, they collide with one another more frequently and with greater energy, which translates to an increase in the substance's thermal energy. Hence, higher kinetic energy corresponds to a higher thermal energy level.
2. **The mass of the substance is decreased:**
- If the mass of a substance is decreased while keeping its temperature constant, the total thermal energy of the substance will also decrease. This is because thermal energy is directly proportional to the mass of the substance (for a given specific heat capacity and temperature). In essence, removing some of the substance means there are fewer particles contributing to the overall thermal energy.
3. **The temperature of the substance is decreased:**
- A decrease in the temperature of a substance generally results in a decrease in its thermal energy. Lower temperature means that the average kinetic energy of the particles is reduced, leading to less energetic motion. Consequently, this reduction in kinetic energy translates to a decrease in the thermal energy of the substance.
In summary, an increase in particle kinetic energy raises thermal energy, a decrease in mass lowers thermal energy, and a decrease in temperature also results in lower thermal energy.
1. **The kinetic energy of the particles increases:**
- When the kinetic energy of the particles increases, it typically means that the temperature of the substance is increasing. As the particles move faster, they collide with one another more frequently and with greater energy, which translates to an increase in the substance's thermal energy. Hence, higher kinetic energy corresponds to a higher thermal energy level.
2. **The mass of the substance is decreased:**
- If the mass of a substance is decreased while keeping its temperature constant, the total thermal energy of the substance will also decrease. This is because thermal energy is directly proportional to the mass of the substance (for a given specific heat capacity and temperature). In essence, removing some of the substance means there are fewer particles contributing to the overall thermal energy.
3. **The temperature of the substance is decreased:**
- A decrease in the temperature of a substance generally results in a decrease in its thermal energy. Lower temperature means that the average kinetic energy of the particles is reduced, leading to less energetic motion. Consequently, this reduction in kinetic energy translates to a decrease in the thermal energy of the substance.
In summary, an increase in particle kinetic energy raises thermal energy, a decrease in mass lowers thermal energy, and a decrease in temperature also results in lower thermal energy.