A Demonstration of Thermal Energy Transfer

Understanding Thermal Energy Transfer:

When a student decides to demonstrate the transfer of thermal energy by putting her warm hand on a cold metal doorknob, it is essential to consider the direction of heat flow. In this scenario, the thermal energy will move from the student's warm hand to the cold metal doorknob.

Explanation:

If a student puts her warm hand on a cold metal doorknob, the thermal energy will move from the warmer object (her hand) to the cooler object (the doorknob). This process occurs due to the fundamental principle that heat naturally flows from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object, guided by the temperature difference between them.

In the specific case of the warm hand on a cold metal doorknob, heat will continuously transfer from the student's hand to the doorknob until both objects reach thermal equilibrium. This equilibrium is achieved when the temperature of the student's hand and the doorknob equalizes, resulting in a balanced thermal state between the two objects.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question regarding the movement of thermal energy when a student puts her warm hand on a cold metal doorknob is Option B - Heat moves from her hand to the doorknob. This explanation aligns with the natural flow of heat from a higher temperature source to a colder destination, showcasing the principle of thermal energy transfer in action.