To determine which substance would reach a higher final temperature when the same amount of thermal energy is applied, we need to look at the concept of specific heat.
Specific heat is the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Copper has a specific heat of about 0.39 J/g°C, while water has a much higher specific heat of approximately 4.18 J/g°C.
This means that water requires more energy to increase its temperature compared to copper. Therefore, if we give the same amount of thermal energy to both a 1 gram mass of copper and a 1 gram mass of water, the copper will experience a much greater increase in temperature.
Consequently, the answer is:
- a) the 1 gram of water – Incorrect, as water will not have the highest final temperature due to its higher specific heat.
- b) neither one – Correct, since the expectation is measuring the final temperature of both, but in context, the copper will reach a higher temperature.
In conclusion, the 1 gram of copper would have the highest final temperature when the same amount of thermal energy is applied to both substances.