Lois is Preparing Iced Tea: Which Direction is Thermal Energy Flowing?

Question: Lois is preparing a pitcher of iced tea. She brews the hot tea and then adds ice to the pitcher. Which direction is the thermal energy flowing in this system? Answer: Thermal energy flows from the hot tea to the colder ice until thermal equilibrium is reached, consistent with the second law of thermodynamics. Therefore, the correct option is 4.

Explanation

When Lois adds ice to the hot tea, the thermal energy flows from the hot tea to the colder ice. This process continues until thermal equilibrium is achieved, as explained by the second law of thermodynamics. Thermal energy moves spontaneously from a warmer object to a cooler one until uniformity in temperature is reached in the system. Hence, the correct direction of thermal energy flow in this scenario is Option 4: From the tea to the ice.

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