Temperature Change in Different Materials

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).

The table shows object, material, mass, and order in which samples heated. Object 1 is Iron with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 1st to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 2 is Wood with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 2nd to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 3 is Glass with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 3rd to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 4 is Aluminum with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 4th to heat to 100 degrees Celsius.

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.

1 answer

The correct answer 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.

This is because, with an increase in mass, there are more molecules that need to be heated, which requires more energy to achieve the same temperature increase.