Multiple Choice Question:
Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between temperature and heat?
A) Heat is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while temperature is the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
B) Temperature and heat are different quantities that can be used interchangeably to describe the thermal state of a substance.
C) Heat is a measure of the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
D) Temperature and heat are unrelated quantities that have no impact on each other.
Answer:
C) Heat is a measure of the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
Explanation:
Temperature and heat are related but distinct concepts in thermodynamics. Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, typically measured using a thermometer. On the contrary, heat refers to the total kinetic energy of all the particles in a substance.
The key difference lies in the fact that temperature is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on the amount of substance present, whereas heat is an extensive property, and it depends on the mass and specific heat capacity of the substance.
When heat is transferred from one object to another, it flows due to a difference in temperature. The direction of heat transfer is always from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object until thermal equilibrium is reached.
Thus, statement C is correct in stating that heat is a measure of the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.