Questions: Compare a cup of hot coffee with the Pacific Ocean. Which statement about thermal energy and temperature is correct?
A. Water in the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a higher temperature.
B. Water in the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a lower temperature.
C. Water in the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a higher temperature
D. Water in the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a lower temperature.
Transcript text: Compare a cup of hot coffee with the Pacific Ocean. Which statement about thermal energy and temperature is correct?
A. Water in the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a higher temperature.
B. Water in the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a lower temperature.
C. Water in the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a higher temperature
D. Water in the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a lower temperature.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understand the Concepts of Thermal Energy and Temperature
Thermal Energy: The total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance. It depends on both the temperature and the amount of substance.
Temperature: A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
Step 2: Analyze the Given Options
Option A: States that the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a higher temperature.
Option B: States that the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a lower temperature.
Option C: States that the Pacific Ocean has less thermal energy and a higher temperature.
Option D: States that the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a lower temperature.
Step 3: Compare the Thermal Energy and Temperature
Thermal Energy: The Pacific Ocean, due to its vast size, contains a significantly larger amount of water compared to a cup of coffee. Therefore, it has more thermal energy.
Temperature: A cup of hot coffee typically has a higher temperature than the water in the Pacific Ocean, which is generally cooler.
Final Answer
\(\boxed{\text{D. Water in the Pacific Ocean has more thermal energy and a lower temperature.}}\)