Question

Can someone help me understand what 1b is asking and how to answer it?

Answer 1

The question is basically asking what is happening to the energy (that is in the form of heat) when it is being absorbed by an object.  The energy being absorbed from the heat source is being turned into kinetic energy.  This can be explained by temperature change.  As you add more heat to an object, the temperature rises.  Since temperature is the average kinetic energy of all of the molecules in an object, we can say that as temperature rises so does the kinetic energy of the molecules in the object.  Due to the fact that heat is causing the temperature to increase, we can say that the energy from the heat is being turned into kinetic energy.  

I hope this helps.  Let me know in the comments if anything is unclear.