Chapter 14, Problem 3Q

(a) If two objects of different temperatures are placed in contact, will heat naturally flow from the object with higher internal energy to the object with lower internal energy? (b) Is it possible for heat to flow even if the internal energies of the two objects are the same? Explain.

To determine

Does heat flow naturally when two objects are at different temperatures.

Answer to Problem 3Q

Solution:

Heat flows from the object at higher temperature to the one at lower temperature.

Explanation of Solution

Internal energy arises from the relative positions and interaction of its parts. It depends on both the number of molecules and temperature of the system. Temperature is a measure of degree of hotness or coldness of a body. When two objects are at different temperatures, it means the two bodies have different internal energy and heat flows from the object with higher temperature to the one with lower temperature. The object with higher temperature may have higher internal energy.

To determine

If it is possible that heat flows when the two objects have same internal energy.

Answer to Problem 3Q

Solution:

Yes.

Explanation of Solution

Internal energy arises from the relative positions and interaction of its parts. It depends on both the number of molecules and temperature of the system. Temperature is a measure of degree of hotness or coldness of a body. The two bodies can have same internal energy yet at different temperature. So, when two objects are at different temperatures, heat flows from the object with higher temperature to the one with lower temperature.