Initial Temperature (°C) Final Temperature (°C)

Question

Water in Metal Can 80 45
Water in Styrofoam Cup 10 45

Students conducted a simple experiment to explore heat transfer. They constructed the closed system you see here: a metal soda can inside a styrofoam cup. The metal can was filled with 80°C water and placed into the styrofoam cup containing colder water, 10°C. The students predicted that the water in the metal can would decrease in temperature while the water temperature inside the cup would increase. Base on the student data recorded in the data table, the prediction was correct. Explain how the transfer of heat energy occurred. Select ALL the statements that could apply.
Responses
A Heat energy travels from high to low until equilibrium is met.Heat energy travels from high to low until equilibrium is met.
B Heat is transferred from one location to another via particle collisions.Heat is transferred from one location to another via particle collisions.
C The hot water had the highest temperature,and the greatest potential energy.The hot water had the highest temperature,and the greatest potential energy.
D The water in the can had less kinetic energy than the water in the outside cup.The water in the can had less kinetic energy than the water in the outside cup.
E Particle collisions transferred that energy from the hot water, to the can, and then to the cooler water.
(only 3)

Answer 1

Based on the given experiment and the mechanisms of heat transfer, the correct statements that apply to the transfer of heat energy in this scenario are:

A: Heat energy travels from high to low until equilibrium is met.
B: Heat is transferred from one location to another via particle collisions.
E: Particle collisions transferred that energy from the hot water, to the can, and then to the cooler water.

These statements accurately describe the process of heat transfer that occurs between the hot water in the metal can and the cooler water in the styrofoam cup.