Which mug has more thermal energy?

You have a large mug with hot tea and a small mug with ice tea. Which mug has more thermal energy?

A) Large mug with hot tea

B) Small mug with ice tea

Answer:

Large mug with hot tea

When it comes to thermal energy, the temperature of an object is a crucial factor. Thermal energy is the internal energy present in a system due to its temperature, and it is directly related to the kinetic energy of the particles within the system.

In this scenario, the large mug with hot tea contains water at a higher temperature compared to the small mug with ice tea. The hot tea in the large mug has a greater thermal energy because its temperature is higher. The molecules in the hot tea are moving faster and have more kinetic energy, leading to a higher thermal energy content in the large mug.