Heat Energy Unit Test

Question

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Question
Axel set up this investigation of solar energy in direct sunlight.

Put the same amount of water into two identical plastic containers.
Place a mirror on blocks so it is resting flat above a table.
Place container 1 under the mirror.
Place container 2 on the mirror.
After 10 minutes, take the temperature of each container of water.
Which result would you expect Axel to find and why?
(1 point)
Responses

The water in both containers will be the same temperature because the mirror absorbs all of the solar energy.
The water in both containers will be the same temperature because the mirror absorbs all of the solar energy.

The water in container 2 will be warmer because the mirror reflects solar energy away from container 1 and toward container 2.
The water in container 2 will be warmer because the mirror reflects solar energy away from container 1 and toward container 2.

The water in container 1 will be warmer because the mirror transmits solar energy away from container 2 and towards container 1.
The water in container 1 will be warmer because the mirror transmits solar energy away from container 2 and towards container 1.

The water in both containers will be the same temperature because the containers absorb the same amount of solar energy.
The water in both containers will be the same temperature because the containers absorb the same amount of solar energy.
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Answer 1

In this investigation of solar energy, the most plausible result is:

The water in container 2 will be warmer because the mirror reflects solar energy away from container 1 and toward container 2.

The reason for this is that the mirror, when placed above the table and angled correctly, will reflect sunlight onto container 2, thus increasing its temperature. On the other hand, container 1, which is situated directly below the mirror, would not receive the reflected sunlight and is likely to remain at a lower temperature compared to container 2.