Chapter 9, Problem 3TE

To determine

The substance that has greater thermal energy between an iceberg and a cup of hot tea.

Answer to Problem 3TE

Between an iceberg and a cup of hot tea, a cup of hot tea has greater thermal energy.

Explanation of Solution

The thermal energy of a system is a measure of the total energy in it due to its temperature. So, a system at a higher temperature will have higher thermal energy. In contrast, a system at a lower temperature will have low thermal energy.

The freezing point of ice is $\text{0}°\text{C}$ So, an iceberg is at temperature $\text{0}°\text{C}$ . The boiling temperature of the water is $\text{100}°\text{C}$ So, the temperature of a hot tea is around ${\text{100}}^{\text{°}}\text{C}$ . Thus, a cup of hot tea is at a higher temperature as compared to an iceberg implying that the cup of hot tea has greater thermal energy than the iceberg.

Conclusion:

Therefore, between an iceberg and a cup of hot tea, a cup of hot tea has greater thermal energy.