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.
hot water on the left
room temperature water on the right
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.
A.
Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.
To determine the direction of thermal energy flow between the two flasks, we need to understand the concept of heat transfer. Heat transfer occurs from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. This is known as the direction of thermal energy flow.
In this scenario, the flask on the left contains hot water, while the flask on the right contains room temperature water. Since hot water has a higher temperature than room temperature water, thermal energy will naturally flow from the flask on the left (hot water) to the flask on the right (room temperature water).
Therefore, the correct answer is A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.