The diagram below shows two flasks of water, one with hot water and the other with room temperature water, which are connected by a conductive metal bar.
When initially set up, in which direction does the thermal energy between the flasks flow?
A.
Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.
B.
Thermal energy flows from the flask on the right to the flask on the left.
C.
Thermal energy does not flow between the two flasks.
D.
Thermal energy flows equally between the two flasks.
A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.
The correct answer is A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.
To determine the initial direction of thermal energy flow between the two flasks, we need to consider the concept of heat transfer. Heat transfer occurs from a higher temperature region to a lower temperature region.
In this case, one flask contains hot water, which is at a higher temperature than the room temperature water in the other flask. Since heat always flows from higher to lower temperatures, the thermal energy will initially flow from the flask with hot water (left flask) to the flask with room temperature water (right flask).
Therefore, the correct answer is A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.