Question

a group of students is trying to determine how different materials absorb and release thermal energy. they conduct an experiment in which they place different room - temperature substances into separate beakers containing 100 g of water at 50°c, and measure how much the temperature of the water changes every minute for 4 minutes. the data table below summarizes their results.

the students decide to use the data table to answer questions about thermal energy transfer.

which substance absorbed the most thermal energy from the water over the course of the experiment?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand the concept of thermal energy transfer

When a substance absorbs thermal energy from water, the temperature of the water decreases. The greater the decrease in water temperature, the more thermal energy the substance has absorbed.

Step2: Calculate the temperature change for each substance

• For Rock: Initial temperature of water is \(50^{\circ}C\). After 4 minutes, the temperature is \(58^{\circ}C\). The temperature change of water \(\Delta T_{rock}=50 - 58=- 8^{\circ}C\)
• For Copper metal: Initial temperature of water is \(50^{\circ}C\). After 4 minutes, the temperature is \(76^{\circ}C\). The temperature change of water \(\Delta T_{copper}=50 - 76=- 26^{\circ}C\)
• For Plastic: Initial temperature of water is \(50^{\circ}C\). After 4 minutes, the temperature is \(75^{\circ}C\). The temperature change of water \(\Delta T_{plastic}=50 - 75=- 25^{\circ}C\)

Since \(\vert- 26\vert>\vert- 25\vert>\vert- 8\vert\)

Answer:

Copper metal.