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.
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.
To determine the initial direction of thermal energy flow between the flasks, we need to understand how thermal energy behaves in a system.
Thermal energy always flows from an object with a higher temperature to an object with a lower temperature until both objects reach thermal equilibrium, where their temperatures become equal. This is known as the second law of thermodynamics.
In this case, the flask on the left contains hot water, which has a higher temperature than the room temperature water in the flask on the right. Therefore, according to the second law of thermodynamics, thermal energy will flow from the flask on the left (hot water) to the flask on the right (room temperature water).
So, the correct answer is:
A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.