Ron investigated heat transfer using a bottle of water. He placed the bottle in a room at 20oC. Ron measured the temperature of the water in the bottle at 7am to be 12.5oC. At 3pm, he measured the water to be 20.5oC. In which direction did the thermal energy move between the surroundings and the water in the bottle from 7am to 3pm?

Question

A.
Thermal energy moved out of the water in the bottle.
B.
Thermal energy did not move during this experiment.
C.
Thermal energy moved into the air in the room.
D.
Thermal energy moved into the water in the bottle.

Answer 1

To determine the direction of thermal energy transfer, we can analyze the temperatures provided:

• At 7am, the water temperature is 12.5°C.
• At 3pm, the water temperature is 20.5°C.
• The room temperature is 20°C.

Since the temperature of the water increased from 12.5°C to 20.5°C, it indicates that the water absorbed thermal energy from its surroundings (the air in the room, which is at 20°C). Therefore, the thermal energy moved into the water in the bottle.

The correct answer is:

D. Thermal energy moved into the water in the bottle.