Celine boiled two identical eggs and then took them out of the water. She put one egg on a plastic plate and one on a ceramic plate. This table shows how the temperature of each egg changed over 5minutes.

Question

Egg Initial temperature (°C) Final temperature (°C)
Egg on the ceramic plate 90 75
Egg on the plastic plate 91 76
The next time Celine boils an egg, she wants it to cool off quickly. What should she do to maximize the rate of thermal energy transfer out of the egg?

A. put the egg on the ceramic plate
B. put the egg on the plastic plate
C. either the rate of thermal energy transfer is the same whether the egg is on the plastic or ceramic plate

Answer 1

To maximize the rate of thermal energy transfer out of the egg, Celine should choose the option that results in a greater temperature difference between the egg and the plate, as well as the better thermal conductivity of the material.

From the data provided:

• The egg on the ceramic plate cooled from 90°C to 75°C.
• The egg on the plastic plate cooled from 91°C to 76°C.

Ceramic typically has better thermal conductivity compared to plastic, which allows for more efficient heat transfer. Therefore, despite the final temperatures being similar, the egg on the ceramic plate would likely lose heat faster due to the properties of ceramic.

Thus, the best option for Celine to maximize the rate of thermal energy transfer is:

A. put the egg on the ceramic plate.