Heat Transfer: Understanding the Science Behind Energy Flow

How does thermal energy transfer between different objects?

When you leave a metal spoon in a pot of boiling water, thermal energy transfers from the:
(a) Water to the spoon
(b) Spoon to the water
(c) Air to the water
(d) Spoon to the air

Answer:

Heat will flow from the hot object to the cold object until both end up at the same temperature.

Explanation: When scientists speak of heat, they are referring to energy that is transferred from an object with a higher temperature to an object with a lower temperature, as a result of the temperature difference. Heat will flow from the hot object to the cold object until both end up at the same temperature.

When you cook with a metal pot, you witness energy being transferred in the form of heat. Initially, only the stove element is hot - the pot and the food inside the pot are cold. As a result, heat moves from the hot stove element to the cold pot. After a while, enough heat is transferred from the stove to the pot, raising the temperature of the pot and all of its contents.