# Is it easier to gain energy or to lose it?

Here's an interesting question that came to my mind today:

Suppose I have two containers of water. I heat Container $A$ to $60°C$ and Container $B$ is chilled to $-20°C$. If I leave them both in rooms, which container of water will reach $20°C$ first (room temperature)? Assume every variable is controlled except the temperature of the water.

Container $A$ and Container $B$ are both $40°C$ from room temperature. Clearly Container $A$ needs to lose some thermal energy while Container $B$ needs to gain some. In both situations the water wants to reach thermal equilibrium at $20°C$, but which container will do it faster?

• and does container $B$ remain in the liquid state? – Tofi Feb 19 '18 at 11:40
• Actually the title and the body are totally unrelated. It is still possible to guess what are you asking for and as such you got answers and an important comment. – Alchimista Feb 19 '18 at 12:02
• Yes, assume both stay in the liquid state (perhaps water wasn't the best example). – Landuros Feb 19 '18 at 12:06
• I still suggest that you change the title as" for a body or a system is faster to heat or to cool" , something like that. – Alchimista Feb 19 '18 at 12:40