Why a Cold Spoon Gets Hot: PSLE Science
A weekly series where we spotlight a tricky question.
A heat question from a 2024 Primary 5 paper. Try it before scrolling down.
Tap an option to check yourself
About 7 in 10 students on MCQ.SG picked the wrong answer, most choosing option 1 (A and C). It does feel like the spoon's coldness spreads into the hot food. Check the four statements one by one.
- A is correct. The food is hotter than the spoon, so heat moves from the food into the spoon.
- B is wrong. The spoon started cold and ended up hot, so it was taking in heat, not giving it out.
- C is the trap. It says the spoon lost its "coldness" to the food, but there is no such thing as coldness moving — only heat moves, always from the hotter thing to the cooler thing. The spoon gave away no coldness; it took in heat.
- D is correct. The bowl is hot too and the spoon rests inside it, so heat moves from the bowl into the spoon as well.
So the answer is A and D — option 2.
Now try it on a different pair. A can of soft drink is taken out of the fridge and left on the table. An hour later it is no longer cold. Did the can gain heat from the warm air, or lose its coldness to the air? Say why in one sentence.
If you want to try this on real questions, MCQ.SG marks open-ended questions point by point and gives feedback on every answer.
For more tips on improving your answers—from avoiding common mistakes to using precise science language—explore the complete PSLE Science OEQ Guide.