Question

Thermal conductors don’t have to be hot to transfer heat. According to Ch.16, explain a situation when an ice cube would still transfer heat to another object it is in contact with.

Answer 1

Transfer of heat occurs when there is difference in the temperatures of two bodies. The temperature indicates hotness or coldness of a body. With even small difference in temperature, heat transfer occurs from hotter to the colder one till both of them achieve thermal equilibrium.

So, an ice-cube can transfer heat to another ice-cube if its temperature is higher than another. Suppose, the temperature of ice cube 1 is 0°C and another one is at -10°C, heat transfer would occur.

Answer 2

The law of thermodynamics is that the heat transfers from a hot object to a cold one. This is how the heat gradient goes. An ice can transfer heat when it is in contact with an object which is lower in temperature. For example when ice cube touches an object of temperature -50 degree Celsius.