Question

evaluate it!
study the model of heat transfer.
select the correct statement(s).
the bottom box starts at a higher temperature than the top
box. it has particles with more kinetic energy.
when the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the bottom
box to the top box.
when the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the top box
to the bottom box.
the top box starts at a higher temperature than the bottom
box. it has particles with more kinetic energy.
eventually the boxes reach the same temperature. then the
transfer of thermal energy stops.
video credit: conduction, by javalab, cc by - sa 4.0

Explanation:

Step1: Recall heat transfer principle

Heat transfers from higher - temperature object to lower - temperature object. Particles with higher kinetic energy are in the object with higher temperature.

Step2: Analyze each statement

• “The bottom box starts at a higher temperature than the top box. It has particles with more kinetic energy”: If the bottom box is hotter, when the boxes touch, heat should transfer from the bottom box to the top box. But the statement says “When the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the bottom box to the top box” which is correct based on heat transfer from hot to cold. Also, higher - temperature objects have particles with more kinetic energy.
• “The top box starts at a higher temperature than the bottom box. It has particles with more kinetic energy. When the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the top box to the bottom box”: This is also correct as heat transfers from hot (top box in this case) to cold (bottom box). And higher - temperature (top box here) has more kinetic - energy particles.
• “Eventually the boxes reach the same temperature. Then the transfer of thermal energy stops”: This is in line with the concept of thermal equilibrium. When two objects reach the same temperature (thermal equilibrium), there is no net heat transfer.

Answer:

• “The bottom box starts at a higher temperature than the top box. It has particles with more kinetic energy. When the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the bottom box to the top box. Eventually the boxes reach the same temperature. Then the transfer of thermal energy stops”
• “The top box starts at a higher temperature than the bottom box. It has particles with more kinetic energy. When the boxes touch, heat is transferred from the top box to the bottom box. Eventually the boxes reach the same temperature. Then the transfer of thermal energy stops”