emperature Change in Different Materials

Question

Michelle set up a science investigation to explore temperature change in objects made of different materials. She heated the four objects listed in the table below to the same temperature (100°C). Michelle recorded which material heated to 100°C first, second, third, and fourth (last).



Multiple Choice Question

Next, Michelle wants to investigate the time it will take for iron to heat to 100°C when the mass is increased from 1 kg to 1.5 kg. Which statement best compares the energy required to heat the 1 kg and 1.5 kg samples of iron to 100°C? 

A. 

Less energy will be needed to heat the 1.5 kg sample of iron to 100°C because this sample has fewer molecules to move than the 1 kg sample.

B. 

Less energy will be needed to heat the 1.5 kg sample of iron to 100°C because this sample has more molecules to move than the 1 kg sample.

C. 

More energy will be needed to heat the 1.5 kg sample of iron to 100°C because this sample has fewer molecules to move than the 1 kg sample. 

D. 

More energy will be needed to heat the 1.5 kg sample of iron to 100°C because this sample has more molecules to move than the 1 kg sample. 

Answer 1

To determine which statement best compares the energy required to heat the 1 kg and 1.5 kg samples of iron to 100°C, we need to consider the specific heat capacity principle. The amount of energy required to heat a substance is directly proportional to its mass.

Since the 1.5 kg sample of iron has more mass than the 1 kg sample, it will require more energy to reach the same temperature of 100°C, as there are more molecules to increase the kinetic energy of.

Therefore, the correct choice is:

D. More energy will be needed to heat the 1.5 kg sample of iron to 100°C because this sample has more molecules to move than the 1 kg sample.