Self-heating cans use the concept of an interior heating vessel that is able to warm up food. The diagram below shows a model of how a self-heating can works.

Question

When the activation button is pressed, the water is released into the calcium oxide. When the water and calcium oxide mix, a chemical reaction occurs and releases heat, which is able to heat the soup in the can. Which statement best describes the interior heating vessel?
A.
It is able to regulate the flow of the calcium oxide and water into the food to make it warm.
B.
It is designed to insulate thermal energy from moving from one medium into another.
C.
It is able to produce a larger quantity of food through the process of a chemical reaction.
D.
It is designed to control when thermal energy is produced and where it can flow.

Answer 1

The best statement that describes the interior heating vessel of a self-heating can is:

D. It is designed to control when thermal energy is produced and where it can flow.

This statement accurately reflects the mechanism of the self-heating can, as the design allows for the controlled release of water to react with calcium oxide, leading to the production of heat that is directed to warm the food.