If a warmer object can't absorb energy from a cooler object, why is it that I can shine a flashlight at an object that is obviously warmer than the flashlight. If I can see the light on the warmer object, doesn't that mean that the warmer object is absorbing energy from the cooler flashlight?

Or can I see the light striking the warm object because the filament of the light bulb itself is hotter than the object that I am pointing the light at?

Question

If a warmer object can't absorb energy from a cooler object, why is it that I can shine a flashlight at an object that is obviously warmer than the flashlight.  If I can see the light on the warmer object, doesn't that mean that the warmer object is absorbing energy from the cooler flashlight?

Or can I see the light striking the warm object because the filament of the light bulb itself is hotter than the object that I am pointing the light at?

anonymous · Answer

It's essentially the second point you made. It's actually photons that hit the warmer object and heat it up. These are not objects in the traditional sense of the word. Also, note that you may feel the flashlight because the filament is hotter than it.

anonymous · Answer

feel flashlight warm up*

anonymous · Answer

It should be due to the force of photons that are emitted , its not the process of conduction. Both are different
The electrons of an atom revolve around the nucleus in orbits. These orbits are associated with definite energies and are also called energy shells or energy levels. Thus, the electrons do not continuously lose energy as they travel in a particular orbit. They can only gain and lose energy by jumping from one allowed orbit to another, absorbing or emitting electromagnetic radiation with a frequency ν determined by the energy difference of the levels according to the Planck relation:

[DeltaE=h 
u\]

where h is Planck's constant. Light is produced due to this bhorr's 2nd law. 
A typical ordinary tungsten filament light bulb "throws away" about
95% of its electrical energy as heat. The remaining 5% is converted
into light.
Atomic theory explains it in this way, light is a form of EMR happens due to the energy levels of electron in outer orbital. A heat is due to the vibration of atoms in a material, more vibrations more heat. 
You are talking about the conduction of heat is one form of energy. 
And on the other hand you can see any object in this universe because of light(Photons) emitted or reflected from that object reaches your retina and with help of your brain you identify the object.