Question

50 g of steam at 100°C and 50 g of water at 80°C are mixed together in an insulated container. When the combination reaches thermal equilibrium, will the mass of liquid water be greater than, equal to, or less than 50 g?

a) Greater than 50 g
b) Equal to 50 g
c) Less than 50 g
d)none of the above

Answer 1

When steam at 100°C and water at 80°C are mixed together, the mass of liquid water will be greater than 50 g.

Step-by-step explanation:

When steam at 100°C and water at 80°C are mixed together, thermal equilibrium is reached and they will eventually have the same temperature. The heat energy from the steam will transfer to the water until they are both in equilibrium. Since the water is initially at a lower temperature, it will gain heat energy and its temperature will increase. Therefore, the mass of liquid water will be greater than 50 g after reaching thermal equilibrium.