When cool fuel is added to a tank with warmer fuel, which statement is true?

When cool fuel is added to a tank with warmer fuel, which statement is true?

• A. The Fuel Temperature Will Raise And The Product Will Expand
• B. The Fuel Temperature Will Lower And The Product Will Contract
• C. The Fuel Temperature Will Lower And The Product Will Expand
• D. The Fuel Temperature Will Raise And The Product Will Contract

Answer: (B)

When two fuels with different temperatures mix, heat flows from the warmer fuel to the cooler fuel until they reach a common temperature. Adding cooler fuel to warmer fuel makes the overall fuel temperature drop. Liquids contract when they cool and expand when they heat, so the combined volume in the tank decreases. That’s why the statement that the fuel temperature lowers and the product contracts is the correct one. The other options would require the temperature to rise or for the liquid to expand when cooled, which isn’t consistent with how temperature affects volume.

When two fuels with different temperatures mix, heat flows from the warmer fuel to the cooler fuel until they reach a common temperature. Adding cooler fuel to warmer fuel makes the overall fuel temperature drop. Liquids contract when they cool and expand when they heat, so the combined volume in the tank decreases. That’s why the statement that the fuel temperature lowers and the product contracts is the correct one. The other options would require the temperature to rise or for the liquid to expand when cooled, which isn’t consistent with how temperature affects volume.