Why does tea go cold?

Tea goes cold because of the transfer of heat energy from the hot tea to its surroundings. Here's a breakdown:

* Conduction: The tea's heat transfers to the cup, the air, and anything else it touches. This happens because molecules in the hotter substance (tea) vibrate faster, bumping into molecules in the cooler substance (cup, air) and causing them to vibrate faster, transferring heat energy.

* Convection: Warm air above the tea rises, carrying heat away. This creates a convection current, as cooler air replaces the warmer air, continuing the cycle of heat transfer.

* Radiation: The tea also radiates heat outwards in the form of infrared radiation. This energy travels through the air and can be absorbed by surrounding objects.

Factors that affect how quickly tea cools down:

* Temperature difference: The greater the difference between the tea's temperature and the surrounding environment, the faster the heat transfer.

* Surface area: A larger surface area exposed to the air, such as a wide-mouthed cup, will cool faster than a smaller surface area.

* Material of the cup: A ceramic cup will transfer heat slower than a metal cup.

* Air movement: Wind or a draft will accelerate the cooling process by removing warm air and replacing it with cooler air.

So, while it's a bummer that our tea goes cold, it's a natural consequence of the laws of physics!