Question

aiden had a red cooler and a blue cooler. the coolers were identical, and each was filled with four gallons of drinking water. this table shows how the temperature of each cooler of water changed over 1 hour.
cooler of water initial temperature (°c) final temperature (°c)
red cooler of water 4.0 5.2
blue cooler of water 3.0 4.2
the next time aiden uses a cooler, he does not want the water inside of it to warm up quickly. what should he do to minimize the rate of thermal energy transfer into the cooler of water?
use the red cooler
use the blue cooler
either; the rate of thermal energy transfer is the same whether the cooler is red or blue

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate temperature change of red cooler

$5.2 - 4.0=1.2^{\circ}C$

Step2: Calculate temperature change of blue cooler

$4.2 - 3.0 = 1.2^{\circ}C$

Step3: Compare temperature - change rates

Since the temperature change in both coolers over 1 hour is the same ($1.2^{\circ}C$), the rate of thermal energy transfer is the same for both.

Answer:

either; the rate of thermal energy transfer is the same whether the cooler is red or blue