IB Physics Higher Level (HL) Practice Exam

In which direction does heat transfer occur between two objects in thermal contact?

Cold to hot Hot to cold Side to side Partially based on their masses

Correct Answer:

Hot to cold

Explanation:

Heat transfer always occurs from the hotter object to the colder object when two objects are in thermal contact. This process is driven by the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat energy naturally flows in the direction that increases overall entropy. The energy moves from regions of higher temperature (higher kinetic energy of the particles) to regions of lower temperature (lower kinetic energy) until thermal equilibrium is SAMPLEreached, meaning both objects have the same temperature. This principle applies regardless of the masses of the objects involved; the direction of heat transfer does not depend on the mass but rather on their respective temperatures. Therefore, it is accurate to conclude that heat flows from hot to cold in thermal interactions.

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