Question

which of these actions would decrease heat transfer between two objects?
○ increasing the temperature of the warmer object
○ increasing the area of their contact
○ reducing the thermal energy of the cooler object
○ reducing the time of their contact

Explanation:

To determine which action decreases heat transfer, we analyze each option:

• Increasing the warmer object’s temperature increases the temperature difference, which increases heat transfer (since heat flows from hot to cold, a larger difference means more heat transfer).
• Increasing the contact area provides more surface for heat to transfer through, so heat transfer increases.
• Reducing the cooler object’s thermal energy doesn’t directly decrease heat transfer; heat transfer depends on temperature difference, and reducing thermal energy might not change the temperature difference (or could even increase it if the cooler object’s temperature drops, but the main factor is the temperature gradient).
• Reducing the time of contact: Heat transfer is cumulative over time. Less time in contact means less total heat can be transferred between the objects. So reducing contact time decreases the amount of heat transferred.

Answer:

D. reducing the time of their contact (assuming the options are labeled A to D as: A. increasing the temperature of the warmer object, B. increasing the area of their contact, C. reducing the thermal energy of the cooler object, D. reducing the time of their contact)