How does an ice cube cause hot coffee to become cool?

Responses

Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through convection.
Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through convection.

Heat from the hot coffee is transferred to the ice cube through conduction.
Heat from the hot coffee is transferred to the ice cube through conduction.

Heat from the hot coffee is transferred to the ice cube through convection.
Heat from the hot coffee is transferred to the ice cube through convection.

Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through conduction.
Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through conduction.

Heat from the hot coffee is transferred to the ice cube through conduction.

The correct answer is: Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through conduction.

The correct answer is: Cold from the ice cube is transferred to the hot coffee through conduction.

When an ice cube is introduced to hot coffee, heat is transferred from the hot coffee to the ice cube through a process called conduction. Conduction is the transfer of heat between two objects that are in direct contact with each other. In this case, the heat from the hot coffee is conducted through the coffee itself and makes contact with the ice cube.

As the heat is transferred to the ice cube through conduction, the ice cube absorbs the heat and starts to melt. This melting process requires energy, and the energy is taken from the surrounding environment, including the hot coffee. As a result, the hot coffee loses heat and begins to cool down.

It's important to note that conduction is the primary mode of heat transfer in this scenario because the ice cube and the coffee are in direct contact. While convection (the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids) is also involved to some extent, it's not the main mechanism responsible for cooling the hot coffee in this case.

So, to summarize, the coldness of the ice cube transfers to the hot coffee through conduction, causing the coffee to cool down.