Leanna is investigating heat transfer using a metal nail and foam cup filled with hot water. First, she records the temperature of the water and nail. Next, she places the nail in the hot water for ten minutes. Finally, she removes the nail from the water and records the temperature of the water and nail. The table shows her data. How does the motion of the molecules in the nail change after the nail is placed in the hot water?

Question

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Responses

Energy was transferred from the hot water to the nail through convection, causing the molecules in the nail to move faster.
Energy was transferred from the hot water to the nail through convection, causing the molecules in the nail to move faster.

Energy was transferred between the hot water and the nail through convection, causing the molecules in the nail to move slower.
Energy was transferred between the hot water and the nail through convection, causing the molecules in the nail to move slower.

Energy was transferred from the hot water to the nail through conduction, causing the molecules in the nail to move faster.
Energy was transferred from the hot water to the nail through conduction, causing the molecules in the nail to move faster.

Energy was transferred between the hot water and the nail through conduction, causing the molecules in the nail to move slower.
Energy was transferred between the hot water and the nail through conduction, causing the molecules in the nail to move slower.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Energy was transferred from the hot water to the nail through conduction, causing the molecules in the nail to move faster.

This explanation is appropriate because conduction is the primary method of heat transfer between solids (like the metal nail) and liquids (like the hot water). When the hot water comes into contact with the nail, thermal energy is transferred directly through the collisions of molecules, causing the temperature of the nail to rise and the molecules within it to move faster.