Question

Describe the energy transfer occurring in the polystyrene cup

Answer 1

When hot water (or coffee) is placed in a polystyrene cup, The energy or heat from the hot water does not burn our fingers when we hold it. This is because polystyrene is a bad conductor of heat, and thus causes an insulation. This means it does not allow the heat to easily pass through and thus, we do not feel the heat of the hot water.