Temperature and Heat

Question 1 • 25-26 CHEMISTRY IN THE EARTH SYSTEM S1

Which best describes the difference between internal and thermal energy?

Answer

Internal energy is the total potential energy in a substance, and thermal energy is the total kinetic energy in a substance.

Thermal energy is the total potential energy in a substance, and internal energy is the total kinetic energy in a substance.

Internal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and thermal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance.

Thermal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and internal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance.

Explanation

Internal energy includes the microscopic kinetic energy of particles and the potential energy associated with their interactions. Thermal energy refers to the portion of internal energy that is transferred between substances because of a temperature difference. Therefore, choice C correctly distinguishes the two; choices A and B incorrectly separate internal energy into only one kind of energy.

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