A pot of water is set on a hot burner of a stove. What is the direction of heat flow? Some uncooked macaroni is added to the pot of boiling water. What is the direction of heat flow? Using the concepts of heat and thermodynamics, explain your response.

A) Heat flows into the pot of water

B) Heat flows to the macaroni

Explanation:

A) The formula for heat energy is given by; Q = m•c•Δt

From this formula, the direction of heat flow is not shown.

However, if energy flows into an object, the total energy of the object increases while the values of the change in temperature (Δt) are positive. Similarly, if heat energy is coming out of an object, the total energy of the object will decrease and the values of temperature will decrease.

Thus, we can conclude that heat will flow into the pot of water.

B) From the principle listed in part A above, we can also say that the heat will flow to the macaroni.