Question

which object has more thermal energy: a giant iceberg or a hot cup of tea?
the cup of hot tea, because it is at a higher temperature.
the iceberg, because its particles are moving faster.
the iceberg, because it is much larger and contains more particles.
they both have the same amount of thermal energy.

Explanation:

Thermal energy depends on both temperature (average kinetic energy of particles) and the total number of particles (mass). While the tea has a higher temperature, a giant iceberg has an enormous number of particles. The total thermal energy is the sum of the kinetic energy of all particles, so the far greater number of particles in the iceberg gives it more total thermal energy. Options A and B are wrong because they only focus on temperature or particle speed (related to temperature) without accounting for particle count. Option D is incorrect as their thermal energy levels are not equal.

Answer:

C. The iceberg, because it is much larger and contains more particles.