Question

Ben is boiling water to make pasta. He leaves his metal stirring spoon in the boiling water for a few minutes. What will most likely happen to the temperature of the metal spoon?

A.
The temperature of the metal spoon will increase because heat energy from the boiling water will transfer to the spoon.

B.
The temperature of the metal spoon will decrease because heat energy from the spoon will transfer to the water.

C.
The temperature of the metal spoon will increase because cold energy from the spoon will transfer to the water.

D.
The temperature of the metal spoon will decrease because cold energy from the boiling water will transfer to the spoon.

Answer 1

A. The temperature of the metal spoon will increase because heat energy from the boiling water will transfer to the spoon.

Heat flows from the hotter water (≈100°C) to the cooler spoon by conduction until they approach thermal equilibrium, so the spoon warms up.