Question

Write a hypothesis for Part I of the lab, which is about the effect of mass on the ability of an object to absorb or release thermal energy. Use the format of "if . . . then . . . because . . .” and be sure to answer this part of the lesson question: "How does mass affect thermal energy transfer?”

in a paragraph

Answer 1

If an object has greater mass, then it will absorb or release more thermal energy for a given change in temperature and its temperature will change more slowly for a given heat input, because the amount of thermal energy required to raise or lower a body’s temperature is proportional to its mass (Q = mcΔT), so heavier objects have greater thermal inertia and therefore require and exchange more energy while changing temperature less rapidly.