Help Needed: Solving Tf in Metal & Liquid Heat Exchange

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a thermal equilibrium problem involving a 2kg piece of metal with a specific heat of 200 J/kg°C and a 4kg liquid with a specific heat of 600 J/kg°C. The initial temperatures are 120°C for the metal and 20°C for the liquid. The error identified in the user's calculations is the omission of a negative sign in the heat transfer equation, which should reflect that the heat lost by the metal is equal to the heat gained by the liquid. The corrected equation is Mm * Cm(Tf - Ti) = -Ml * Cl(Tf - Ti).

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I can't solve this problem. Could anyone help me?
A piece of metal with a mass of 2kg and specific heat of 200J/kg C is initially at a temperature of 120 C. The metal is placed into an insulated container that contains a liquid of mass 4kg, a specific heat of 600J/kg C, and an initial temperature of 20C.
I am using equation
Mm * Cm(Tf-Ti)=Ml*Cl(Tf-Ti)
2*200*(Tf-120)=4*600*(Tf-20)
(Tf-120)=6*(Tf-20)
Tf-120 = 6Tf-120
Tf=6Tf
Where did I make a mistake?
Thanks
 
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In the first formula you use there should be a minus sign on one of the sides. This is an energy equation; energy is conserved so the amount of heat that the metal loses (-) is gained (+) by the liquid...
 
ohh You are right. Thank you very much.
 

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