Final answer:
The temperature when the water and pan reach thermal equilibrium can be calculated using the principle of heat exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The temperature when the water and pan reach thermal equilibrium can be calculated using the principle of heat exchange. Heat transfer between the pan and water is rapid, and the heat lost by the pan is equal to the heat gained by the water. Since the system is insulated, the exchange of heat stops once thermal equilibrium is achieved. The equation for heat transfer is:
Q (hot) = Q (cold)
where Q (hot) is the heat lost by the pan and Q (cold) is the heat gained by the water.