Question

When using a calorimeter, the initial temperature of a metal is 70.4C. The initial temperature of the water is 23.6C. At the end of the experiment, the final equilibrium temperature of the water is 29.8C.
What is the final temperature of the metal?



C



What is the temperature change of the water?



C



What is the temperature change of the metal?



C

Answer 1

1) 29.8 C

At the beginning, the metal is at higher temperature (70.4 C) while the water is at lower temperature (23.6 C). When they are put in contact, the metal transfers heat to the water, until they reach thermal equilibrium: at thermal equilibrium the two objects (the metal and the water have same temperature). Therefore, since the temperature of the water at thermal equilibrium is 29.8 C, the final temperature of the metal must be the same (29.8 C).

2) 6.2 C

The temperature change of the water is given by the difference between its final temperature and its initial temperature:

$\Delta T = T_f - T_i$

where

$T_f = 29.8 C\\T_i = 23.6 C$

Substituting into the formula,

$\Delta T=29.8 C-23.6 C=6.2 C$

And the positive sign means that the temperature of the water has increased.

3) -40.6 C

The temperature change of the metal is given by the difference between its final temperature and its initial temperature:

$\Delta T = T_f - T_i$

where

$T_f = 29.8 C\\T_i = 70.4 C$

Substituting into the formula,

$\Delta T=29.8 C-70.4 C=-40.6 C$

And the negative sign means the temperature of the metal has decreased.

Answer 2

Answer: 29.8, 6.2, -40.6