Thermal Energy and Heat — Test

Question 12 • Physical Science

A student places a large pot of cold water on a stove and heats it for one minute. Then she takes the pot of water off the burner and places it on the counter. Which best describes the convection currents?

Answer

Convection currents move thermal energy from the stove to the pot, and then from the pot to the water.

Convection currents in the water cause warmer, denser water to rise and transfer energy upward.

After the stove is turned off, convection currents continue to transfer energy through the water for a period of time.

When the stove is turned on, convection currents cause an increase in the chemical energy of water molecules.

Explanation

Water near the bottom of the pot is warmer and less dense, so it rises while cooler, denser water sinks. Even after the pot is removed from the burner, the water still has temperature differences, so convection currents continue moving thermal energy for a time. Choice D is incorrect because warmer water is less dense, not denser.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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