Scenario
Susan has been studying heat transfer in her science class. While she was boiling some eggs for her mom, she wondered how the eggs cooked in the boiling water.Based on the evidence, write a scientific explanation that describes the thermal energy transfers that are taking place.
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Reasoning
Claim: The eggs cook in boiling water due to the transfer of thermal energy from the water to the eggs.
Evidence: When eggs are placed in boiling water, the water molecules have higher kinetic energy than the eggs. As a result, the thermal energy is transferred from the water to the eggs.
Reasoning: Heat transfer occurs due to the temperature difference between the water and the eggs. The water molecules transfer their thermal energy to the eggs, causing the proteins in the eggs to denature and coagulate, resulting in the cooked texture of the eggs. This process is known as conduction, where heat is transferred from one object to another through direct contact.
two reasonings
Reasoning 1: The process of conduction is the main mechanism by which the thermal energy is transferred from the boiling water to the eggs. As the water molecules collide with the eggs, they transfer their kinetic energy to the eggs, increasing the temperature of the eggs and cooking them.
Reasoning 2: Additionally, the heat transfer is also facilitated by the process of convection within the boiling water. As the water near the bottom of the pot heats up and becomes less dense, it rises to the top, creating a circulation of hot water that surrounds the eggs. This movement of hot water helps to evenly distribute the thermal energy across the surface of the eggs, ensuring they cook thoroughly.