Final answer:
Heat always flows from the hotter substance to the colder substance. A wooden spoon can safely be used to stir hot soup on the stove because it acts as an insulator and doesn't absorb much heat from the soup.
Step-by-step explanation:
In heat transfer, heat always flows from the hotter substance to the colder substance. When using a wooden spoon to stir hot soup on the stove, the wooden spoon acts as an insulator, meaning it doesn't conduct heat as well as materials like metal. Therefore, the wooden spoon doesn't absorb much heat from the hot soup and remains cool enough to handle.
Learn more about Heat transfer in Physics