Answer :
Final answer:
Combustion is the chemical reaction that produces heat and often light, releasing gases like CO₂ and H₂O, while consumption measures the amount of fuel a system uses. The correct option that describes this difference is 'A': combustion pertains to the process of using thermal energy, and consumption refers to fuel usage.
Explanation:
The difference between consumption and combustion is that combustion is the process in which fuel is chemically reacted, usually with oxygen, to produce heat and light, often releasing gases such as CO₂ and H₂O in the process. This is how a system, such as a car engine, converts the chemical energy of fuel into thermal energy and other forms of energy like mechanical work. On the other hand, consumption refers to the quantity of fuel that a system uses. It measures the amount of fuel needed to maintain operation, such as how much gasoline a car engine uses over a distance.
Therefore, the correct option is 'A': Combustion is how a system uses thermal energy; consumption is how much fuel a system uses.
As another example, the combustion of carbohydrates in our bodies through the action of enzymes can be contrasted with direct burning of fuels. The enzymes enable conversion of food into energy at body temperature, which underscores the difference between biochemical reactions in a living organism and the inorganic process of combustion.
The ultimate cause of heat transfer is the difference in temperatures between objects, which should not be confused with the concept of thermal energy. Thermal energy refers to the energy related to the motion (kinetic energy) and arrangement (potential energy) of particles, while heat is the transfer of this energy from a hotter object to a cooler one.
