what will happen if a metal block that is 60°c is placed in water that is 20°c?
the block will absorb heat until it is 80°C.
The metal will cool down and the water will heat up to an intermediate temperature that is equal for both.
The final temperature depends upon the relative amounts of metal and water, and the specific heats of each.
bad guess, A-H
There is actually a theorem in Calculus that applies to this: the Mean Value Theorem,which states that the final temperature has to be somewhere in between.
When a metal block at a higher temperature (60°C) is placed in water at a lower temperature (20°C), there will be a transfer of heat from the metal block to the water. This process is called heat transfer by conduction.
To determine what will happen in this scenario, we need to understand the concept of thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium occurs when two objects in contact reach the same temperature, and there is no more net transfer of heat between them.
To calculate the final temperature, we can use the principle of conservation of energy. The heat lost by the metal block is equal to the heat gained by the water. The general equation for heat transfer is:
Q = m * c * ΔT
Where:
Q = Heat energy transferred
m = Mass of the substance
c = Specific heat capacity of the substance
ΔT = Change in temperature
Before we can determine the final temperature, we need to know the specific heat capacity of the metal block and the specific heat capacity of water. Different materials have different specific heat capacities, which define how much heat energy is required to raise their temperature.
Let's say the metal block has a mass of 500 grams and a specific heat capacity of 0.5 J/g°C. The water has a mass of 1,000 grams and a specific heat capacity of 4.18 J/g°C.
Using the equation Q = m * c * ΔT for both the metal block and water, we can set up an equation to find the final temperature:
Qmetal = Qwater
(metal mass) * (metal specific heat capacity) * (final temperature - initial temperature) =
(water mass) * (water specific heat capacity) * (final temperature - initial temperature)
Plugging in the values:
(500 g) * (0.5 J/g°C) * (final temperature - 60°C) = (1,000 g) * (4.18 J/g°C) * (final temperature - 20°C)
Solving this equation will give you the final temperature after the metal block has been in contact with the water for a sufficient amount of time, allowing them to reach thermal equilibrium.