Question

a baker uses oven mitts to take a muffin tin out of the hot oven and sets it on the counter. after only a few minutes, the baker is able to touch the muffin tin without the protection of the oven mitts.

which statement best describes why the baker no longer needs the oven mitts to touch the muffin tin?

select one:
a. the cold kitchen counter transferred its temperature to the hot muffin tin until they reached thermal equilibrium at different temperatures.

b. the oven mitts cooled the hot muffin tin to room temperature.

c. the hot muffin tin absorbed the cooler room temperature until it reached the same temperature.

d. the hot muffin tin transferred energy to the air and kitchen counter until all three were in thermal equilibrium at the same temperature.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the concept of thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium means that two or more objects in contact will transfer heat until they reach the same temperature.

• Option A is incorrect because thermal equilibrium requires the same temperature, not different.
• Option B is incorrect as oven mitts are insulators (reduce heat transfer) and don't cool the tin to room temp on their own.
• Option C is incorrect in wording: the tin loses heat (transfers energy) to the cooler surroundings, not "absorbs" cooler temperature.
• Option D is correct: The hot muffin tin (higher temperature) transfers thermal energy (heat) to the air and counter (lower temperature) until all three (tin, air, counter) reach the same temperature (thermal equilibrium), making the tin safe to touch.

Answer:

D. The hot muffin tin transferred energy to the air and kitchen counter until all three were in thermal equilibrium at the same temperature.