Final answer:
The final temperature of the copper after being placed in the water is determined by the principle of conservation of energy. Calculations are based on the equation q = mcΔT for both substances and finding the temperature at which the heat lost by the copper equals the heat gained by the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the final temperature of the copper after it is placed in the water, we need to apply the principle of conservation of energy. This principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred. In this case, the heat lost by the copper will be equal to the heat gained by the water, until thermal equilibrium is reached.
Using the formula q = mcΔT (where q is the heat transfer, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the temperature change), we can write two equations, one for the copper and one for the water:
- Copper: qCu = (37.91g)(0.385 J/g°C)(Tfinal - 97.4°C)
- Water: qH2O = (104.84g)(4.184 J/g°C)(Tfinal - 26.5°C)
Since the heat lost by the copper will equal the heat gained by the water, we can set the equations equal to each other and solve for the final temperature (Tfinal):
(37.91g)(0.385 J/g°C)(Tfinal - 97.4°C) = (104.84g)(4.184 J/g°C)(Tfinal - 26.5°C)
After solving the equation for Tfinal, you will find the final temperature of both the copper and the water in the calorimeter.