AFOQT Practice Test

How does energy move according to temperature differences?

1. From low-energy substances to high-energy substances

2. From high-energy substances to low-energy substances

3. Equally regardless of temperature

4. By requiring contact between substances

The correct answer is: From high-energy substances to low-energy substances

The correct understanding of energy transfer in relation to temperature differences is that energy moves from high-energy substances to low-energy substances. This principle is rooted in the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat energy naturally flows from a region of higher temperature (where particles have more kinetic energy) to a region of lower temperature (where particles have less kinetic energy) until thermal equilibrium is reached. In this context, high-energy substances are those that possess more thermal energy, which leads to higher temperatures. When these substances come into contact with lower-energy (lower temperature) substances, energy is transferred in the form of heat, increasing the energy of the lower temperature substances while decreasing the energy of the higher temperature ones. This energy exchange continues until both substances reach the same temperature, demonstrating the natural tendency of energy to flow from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration.