Heat and Thermodynamics Trivia Quiz

Answer: British Thermal Unit

The Btu is often used to denote the energy-producing or energy-transferring capability of heating and cooling systems and computer equipment.

Answer: Gabriel Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit is famous for his temperature scale, widely used in the United States. To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value and multiply the result by 5/9. The inverse equation can convert Celsius to Fahrenheit - simply multiply the Celsius value by 9/5 and then add 32. Additionally, to convert a temperature into Kelvin, take a Celsius value and add 273.

Answer: 0 K

This temperature scale begins at absolute zero - the temperature at which all random thermal molecular movement has ceased. Absolute zero cannot be attained because heat "leaks" into an experiment from the outside world.
The coldest temperature recorded in the Universe was on the surface of Neptune's moon Triton, which reached 38 K. An Oxford Instruments device called a "dilution refrigerator" can hit temperatures as low as two-thousandths of a Kelvin - just fractions away from absolute zero.

Answer: Conduction

Conduction transfers energy through matter from particle to particle, while convection transfers energy by the movement of the warmed matter.

Answer: Entropy

Entropy is the tendency for energy to spread out from one physical location or energetic state.

Answer: Exothermic

An easy way to remember the difference between exothermy and endothermy is to recall their Latin roots. The prefix exo- means "outside," while endo- means "inside." The EXOskeleton is on the outside of an insect, while the ENDOcrine glands secrete hormones inside a body. Thermal refers to heat, so an exothermic reaction creates heat.

Answer: Hess' Law

Hess' Law is used to find the enthalpy of a reaction. Enthalpy does not depend on the mechanism used (the "pathway") to change the heat; rather, it depends on the inital and final state of the reactants and products.

Answer: 46 kJ

In order to solve this problem, you multiply the heat of vaporization (250 kJ/mol) by the amount of silver being condensed (20 grams) divided by the molar mass of silver (108 grams). So,
250 kJ/mol * (20 grams Ag/108 grams per mole Ag) = 46 kJ

Answer: -241.82 kJ

This value is generally listed in chemistry textbooks and often included with problems regarding standard heats of formation.

Answer: 3

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that 'energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be destroyed.' The Second Law states 'the entropy of an isolated system always increases.' The Third Law states that 'the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero is zero.' The Zeroth Law deals with thermal equilibrium.