The initial temperature of the water was 56.7 °C.
<em>Step 1</em>. Calculate the <em>temperature chang</em>e.
The formula for the heat (<em>q</em>) absorbed is
<em>q = mC</em>Δ<em>T
</em>
We can solve this equation to get
Δ<em>T = q</em>/(<em>mC</em>)
<em>q</em> = 5.49 × 10⁵ J; <em>m</em> = 3030 g; <em>C</em> = 4.184 J·°C⁻¹g⁻¹
∴ Δ<em>T</em> = 5.49 × 10⁵ J/(3030 g × 4.184 J·°C⁻¹g⁻¹) = 43.30 °C
<em>Step </em>2. Calculate the <em>initial temperature
</em>
Δ<em>T</em> = <em>T</em>_f – <em>T</em>_i = 100°C – <em>T</em>_i = 43.30 °C
<em>T</em>_i = 100 °C – 43.30 °C = 56.7 °C
