Question

assuming no external heat source, how do you know if an object is receiving more heat than it is passing on, receiving less heat than it is passing on, or receiving and passing on the same amount?

Answer 1

When an object is receiving more heat than it is passing on, the net heat transfer is from a hotter object to a colder one.

When an object is receiving less heat than it is passing on, the net heat transfer is from a colder object to a hotter one.

When an object is receiving and passing on the same amount of heat, the net heat transfer is zero.

Step-by-step explanation:

Heat transfer occurs through radiation, conduction, and convection. When an object is receiving more heat than it is passing on, the net heat transfer is from a hotter object to a colder one.

This happens when the temperature of the surroundings, T₂, is greater than the temperature of the object, T₁. In this case, the quantity Qnet/t is positive.

On the other hand, when an object is receiving less heat than it is passing on, the net heat transfer is from a colder object to a hotter one. This occurs when T₁ is greater than T₂, resulting in a negative Qnet/t.

Lastly, when an object is receiving and passing on the same amount of heat, the net heat transfer is zero, which happens when T₁ is equal to T₂.