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Multiple Choice
Which of the following exchanges of energy has a positive sign for heat (relative to the system)?
A
snow melts on a mountaintop (snow is the system)
B
water vapor condenses on a cold surface (water vapor is the system)
C
a rock tumbles from a mountain (the rock is the system)
D
both the first and second choices
E
both the first and third choices
F
both the second and third choices
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of heat exchange: In thermodynamics, heat exchange refers to the transfer of thermal energy between a system and its surroundings. A positive sign for heat indicates that the system is absorbing heat from the surroundings.
Analyze the first scenario: 'snow melts on a mountaintop (snow is the system)'. Melting is an endothermic process, meaning the system (snow) absorbs heat from the surroundings to change from solid to liquid.
Analyze the second scenario: 'water vapor condenses on a cold surface (water vapor is the system)'. Condensation is an exothermic process, meaning the system (water vapor) releases heat to the surroundings to change from gas to liquid.
Analyze the third scenario: 'a rock tumbles from a mountain (the rock is the system)'. This scenario involves mechanical energy rather than thermal energy, and typically does not involve heat exchange in the context of thermodynamics.
Determine which scenarios involve a positive sign for heat: Based on the analysis, the first scenario (snow melting) involves a positive sign for heat as the system absorbs heat. The second scenario involves a negative sign for heat as the system releases heat. The third scenario does not involve heat exchange.