Final answer:
The copper loses 289.34 calories when its temperature drops from 96.5°C to 27.7°C, based on the heat transfer to the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the calories the metal loses, we can use the concept of heat transfer. In an isolated system, heat lost by the hot substance is equal to the heat gained by the cool substance. The specific heat capacity of copper is 0.092 cal/g°C, and for water is 1 cal/g°C.
First, calculate the heat gained by water:
q = mass × specific heat × ΔT = 85.1 g × 1 cal/g°C × (27.7°C - 24.3°C) = 85.1 cal × 3.4°C = 289.34 cal
Since the system is isolated, the heat lost by copper will be equal to the heat gained by the water:
Heat lost by copper = Heat gained by water = 289.34 cal
Therefore, the copper loses 289.34 calories.