ASPECt
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Energy can be transferred by electromagnetic radiation.
Item RG143002: A light shines on a bowl of water. As the temperature of the water increases, the water absorbs more energy than it emits; when the temperature of the water is constant, the water emits the same amount of energy that it absorbs.
A student positions a lamp by a glass bowl of water. He records the initial temperature of the water and then turns on the light.
He records the temperature of the water at several time periods, as shown in the table below.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the transfer of energy that the student observes?
- From time periods 0 to 4, the water absorbs more energy than it emits; for time periods 5 to 7, the water neither absorbs nor emits energy.
- From time periods 0 to 4, the water absorbs more energy than it emits; for time periods 5 to 7, the water emits more energy than it absorbs.
- From time periods 0 to 4, the water absorbs more energy than it emits; for time periods 5 to 7, the water emits the same amount of energy that it absorbs.
- From time periods 0 to 4, the water emits more energy than it absorbs; for time periods 5 to 7, the water emits the same amount of energy that it absorbs.
- Distribution of Responses
- Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult]) - 511
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 568 | 1523 | 37% |
| Grades | |||
| 4–5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 6–8 | 253 | 795 | 32% |
| 9–12 | 315 | 728 | 43% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 266 | 702 | 38% |
| Female | 293 | 795 | 37% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 519 | 1373 | 38% |
| Other | 42 | 119 | 35% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- PS3.B Light also transfers energy from place to place.
PS4.B When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells.