A cup of hot coffee is placed on a table.

What will happen?

The coffee cools down, the table and the air get a little warmer, until all have the same temperature.

In which direction is energy transferred?

The hot coffee gives energy to the environment.
Why does this not happen backwards?
(i.e. why doesn't the table cool down further and the coffee starts boiling, the energy concentrating in the coffee again?)

[auf deutsch]