A student holds an ice cube in her hand. Which of the following BEST describes the movement of heat that will happen?
A
Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via conduction.
B
Cold will flow from the ice cube to her hand via conduction.
C
Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via radiation.
D
Cold will flow from the ice cube to her hand via convection.
A
Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via conduction.
A
Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via conduction
To determine the correct answer, let's understand the concepts involved.
The movement of heat can happen through three different processes: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Conduction is the transfer of heat between objects that are physically touching each other. It occurs when heat energy is transferred from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object through direct contact.
Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, such as liquids or gases. It happens when warmer parts of a fluid rise and cooler parts sink, creating a continuous flow of heat transfer.
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. It does not require any physical contact or fluid movement. It can occur through empty space as well.
Now, let's analyze each statement:
A - Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via conduction.
This statement suggests that heat will transfer from her hand (higher temperature) to the ice cube (lower temperature) through direct contact, which is a process of conduction. So, option A could be the answer.
B - Cold will flow from the ice cube to her hand via conduction.
The term "cold" is not a form of energy but rather a lower temperature. Therefore, cold cannot flow from the ice cube to her hand. So, option B is incorrect.
C - Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via radiation.
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, which requires no physical contact. The student is physically holding the ice cube, so the transfer cannot happen through radiation. Thus, option C is incorrect.
D - Cold will flow from the ice cube to her hand via convection.
As mentioned earlier, cold is not a form of energy, but rather the absence of heat or a lower temperature. Convection involves the movement of fluids, not the transfer of cold. So, option D is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: Heat will flow from her hand to the ice cube via conduction.