Answer:
The metal sphere was made of iron.
Explanation:
From the question,
Heat lost by the metal sphere = heat gained by the mercury.
Cm(t₁-t₃) = C'm'(t₃-t₂)................... Equation 1
Where C = specific heat capacity of the metal sphere, m = mass of the metal sphere, C' = specific heat capacity of the mercury, m' = mass of the mercury.
t₁ = initial temperature of the metal sphere, t₂ = initial temperature of the mercury, t₃ = Final temperature of the mixture.
Make C the subject of the equation
C = C'm'(t₃-t₂)/m(t₁-t₃)................. Equation 2
Given: m = 0.5 kg, m' = 4.08 kg, t₁ = 300 °C, t₂ = 20 °C, t₃ = 99 °C
Constant: C' = 140 J/kgK.
Substitute into equation 2
C = [140×4.08×(99-20)]/[0.5×(300-99)]
C = 45124.8/100.5
C = 449.0 J/kgK.
Hence from the specific heat capacity data sheet, the metal is suspected to be made of iron.
