Question

A calorimeter contains 0.50 g of water at 15°C. A 0.040 g block of zinc at 115°C is placed in the water. What is the final temperature of the system?

Answer 1

To find the final temperature of the system, you can use the equation Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat gained or lost, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the final temperature of the system, we can use the equation Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat gained or lost, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

First, we need to calculate the heat gained by the water. Q_water = mc_waterΔT_water = (0.50 g)(4.18 J/g°C)(T_f - 15°C).

Next, we calculate the heat lost by the zinc. Q_zinc = mc_zincΔT_zinc = (0.040 g)(0.39 J/g°C)(115°C - T_f).

Since energy is conserved, Q_water = -Q_zinc. Set the two equations equal to each other and solve for T_f.