Question

eat transfer between two substances is affected by specific heat and the

chemical composition of the substances.
state of matter of the substances at room temperature.
thermal equilibrium of the substances.
amount of time and area of physical contact between the substances.

Answer 1

All of them. Briefly:

- Chemical composition — determines thermal properties (specific heat, thermal conductivity) that control how readily a material stores and conducts heat.
- State of matter — solids, liquids and gases transfer heat differently (conduction vs. convection, different conductivities).
- Thermal equilibrium — if the two substances are already at the same temperature there is no net heat transfer; the temperature difference governs the driving force.
- Amount of time and contact area — conduction heat transferred scales with contact area and time (and with thickness and temperature difference).

Primary factors to remember: temperature difference, thermal conductivity (and specific heat), contact area, thickness/path, and time (plus convection/radiation modes).