How does heat transfer work between objects of different temperatures?
Why does heat transfer occur when two objects of different temperatures come into contact with each other?
Every object in the universe is made up of particles that are constantly in motion. These particles have kinetic energy, which is a measure of their motion. When two objects of different temperatures come into contact with each other, heat transfer occurs due to the difference in kinetic energy between the particles of the two objects. Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy is exchanged between two objects of different temperatures. Thermal energy, or heat, flows from the object with a higher temperature to the object with a lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached. This is based on the principle that heat always flows from a warmer object to a cooler object. The transfer of heat energy occurs through three main processes: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles of the two objects. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids like air and water. Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. In the case of the student holding a cold piece of metal, heat transfer occurs as the warmer hand comes into contact with the colder metal. The metal absorbs heat from the hand, causing the metal to get warmer while the hand gets colder. This process continues until both the hand and the metal reach thermal equilibrium. It's important to note that heat transfer occurs spontaneously from a higher temperature to a lower temperature due to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat cannot flow from a colder object to a hotter object without external intervention.