Question

identifying how long conduction occurs
while felicia is stirring her hot coffee with a metal spoon, she gets called away. she sets the coffee on the desk and then forgets to come back for it before going home for the weekend. how long will conduction between the spoon and the hot coffee occur?
conduction will occur until the spoon is hotter than the coffee.
conduction will occur until the spoon is at room temperature and the coffee gets cold.
conduction will occur until the spoon is removed from the coffee after the weekend.
conduction will occur until the spoon and coffee are the same temperature.

Explanation:

Conduction is the transfer of heat between substances in direct contact. It occurs until thermal equilibrium is reached, meaning the two substances (here, the spoon and the coffee) have the same temperature. Option 1 is incorrect because conduction stops when temperatures equalize, not when one is hotter. Option 2 is wrong as room - temperature is not the only factor; it's about the spoon and coffee's mutual temperature. Option 3 is incorrect because removal is not the determining factor for conduction's end; temperature equality is.

Answer:

Conduction will occur until the spoon and coffee are the same temperature.