Which type of heat transfer is primarily responsible for a metal spoon becoming warm when it is placed in a cup of hot water?

• A. Convection
• B. Conduction
• C. Radiation
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the three main types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Each type involves a different mechanism for transferring thermal energy.
2. Understand that conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between molecules, typically occurring in solids where particles are closely packed.
3. Recognize that convection involves the movement of fluid (liquid or gas) carrying heat from one place to another, which is not the primary mechanism in a solid metal spoon.
4. Know that radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, which is less significant in this scenario.
5. Since the metal spoon is in direct contact with the hot water, heat is transferred through the spoon's material by conduction, causing it to become warm.