Temperature & Thermal Energy — Drills · Grade 8 Science
Chapter: Phases of MatterWhat these drills covers
By the end of Temperature & Thermal Energy you should be able to:
- I can distinguish temperature from the total thermal energy of a sample.
- I can predict the direction of energy transfer between objects at different temperatures.
- I can plan separate material and mass temperature-change comparisons.
6 questions, written answer, numeric and multiple choice, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: temperature, heat, thermal equilibrium, model, evidence, system boundary, assumption.
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
Energy transfers from spoon to water until their temperatures approach equilibrium.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
No. The temperature remains 25°C; there is more matter and more thermal energy relative to the same reference state.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
50 °C
65 − 15 = 50 °C.
Problem 4
- total energy of all particles
- average kinetic energy of the particles
- mass of the sample
- number of particles
Answer and explanation
average kinetic energy of the particles
Thermal energy is the total; temperature is the average per particle.
Problem 5
Answer and explanation
2090 J
Q = 50 × 4.18 × 10 = 2,090 J.
Problem 6
Answer and explanation
The bucket. Both have the same average particle energy, which is what the thermometer reports, but the bucket contains far more particles, so the total energy stored is much greater. This is why the bucket could warm a cold room noticeably and the cup could not.
Response criteria
- State a scientifically accurate conclusion.
- Show the data, mechanism, or calculation that supports it.
- Include units, conditions, or limits where relevant.