Four students are discussing heat, thermal energy, and temperature. Claire says temperature indicates the amount of heat in an object. Hazel states that heat is a transfer of energy. Connor says that, if two objects have equal masses, the hottest object has the most thermal energy. Evan disagrees. He says that, if two objects have equal masses, the hottest object has the most heat.

Question

Which students are correct?

Responses

Claire and Evan
Claire and Evan

Claire and Connor
Claire and Connor

Hazel and Evan
Hazel and Evan

Hazel and Connor
Hazel and Connor

Answer 1

Let’s analyze each student’s statement to determine who is correct:

1. Claire says temperature indicates the amount of heat in an object.

   • Incorrect: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object, not a direct measure of the amount of heat (thermal energy) it contains.

2. Hazel states that heat is a transfer of energy.

   • Correct: Heat is indeed defined as the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a temperature difference.

3. Connor says that, if two objects have equal masses, the hottest object has the most thermal energy.

   • Incorrect: While temperature does indicate the average kinetic energy, thermal energy also depends on the substance's specific heat capacity. Two objects can have the same mass and one can have a higher temperature, but if it has a lower specific heat capacity, it might not have more thermal energy.

4. Evan disagrees and says that, if two objects have equal masses, the hottest object has the most heat.

   • Incorrect: The statement is not valid because “heat” refers to the transfer of energy rather than a property of an object. Also, the amount of thermal energy depends on both temperature and the nature (specific heat) of the material.

Based on this analysis, the only student who is correct is Hazel. Therefore, the correct response is:

Hazel and Evan.