Question

a 4-pound pile of nails is at a temperature of 17°f. then the nails are divided into fourths. the amount of thermal energy in each part is about ______ the amount of thermal energy in the original 4-pound pile of nails. the same as four times one-fourth

Explanation:

Step1: Recall thermal energy relation

Thermal energy depends on mass (and temperature, specific heat). Here, temperature is same. Mass of each part: original mass \( m = 4 \) lb, divided into 4 parts, so each part has mass \( \frac{4}{4}=1 \) lb.

Step2: Analyze thermal energy ratio

Thermal energy \( Q \propto m \) (at constant temp, same substance). So if mass is \( \frac{1}{4} \) of original, thermal energy of each part is \( \frac{1}{4} \) of original.

Answer:

one - fourth