AFOQT Practice Test

What type of energy transfer is primarily occurring when a pan is heated on a stove?

1. Radiation

2. Convection

3. Conduction

4. Induction

The correct answer is: Conduction

When a pan is heated on a stove, conduction is the primary method of energy transfer taking place. This process involves the direct transfer of heat through physical contact. The flames or heating element of the stove warms the bottom of the pan, which then transfers heat to the metal molecules within the pan. As these molecules absorb energy, they vibrate more vigorously, increasing the temperature of the pan and ultimately cooking the food inside. In this context, conduction is essential because the heat must move through the material of the pan itself, facilitating the cooking process by ensuring that the food is heated evenly. Other forms of heat transfer, such as radiation and convection, play roles in different scenarios but are not the main mechanisms at work when directly heating a pan on a stove.