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.

Question

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.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. Thermal energy flows from the flask on the left to the flask on the right.

This is because thermal energy naturally flows from regions of higher temperature (the hot water in the left flask) to regions of lower temperature (the room temperature water in the right flask) until thermal equilibrium is reached.