Equilibrium Temperature with three substances

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
ContagiousIntellect

Homework Statement


If a block of 250 grams of lead (specific heat (c) =130) at 315 degrees celsius is placed in a 200 gram aluminum (c=900) calorimeter cup containing 900 grams of water (c=4.1), and the calorimeter and the water are both initially at 15 degrees celsius, what is the equilibrium temperature ?

Homework Equations


Q=mcΔt
Tf=(mct+mct+mct)/(mc+mc+mc)

The Attempt at a Solution


Tf=((250x900x315)+(200x900x15)+(900x4.1x15))/((250x130)+(200x900)+(900x4.1)
Tf=(70875000+2700000+55350)/(32500+180000+3690)
Tf=40.1
I'm not sure if I'm on the right track.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Try to approach it in a systematic way - for a single substance Q=mcΔt, for the whole system

[tex]\sum_i m_ic_i\Delta T_i = 0[/tex]

where [itex]\Delta T_i = T_{final} -T_{initial(i)}[/itex] (Tfinal is common for all substances present).
 
ContagiousIntellect said:

Homework Statement


If a block of 250 grams of lead (specific heat (c) =130) at 315 degrees celsius is placed in a 200 gram aluminum (c=900) calorimeter cup containing 900 grams of water (c=4.1), and the calorimeter and the water are both initially at 15 degrees celsius, what is the equilibrium temperature ?

Homework Equations


Q=mcΔt
Tf=(mct+mct+mct)/(mc+mc+mc)

The Attempt at a Solution


Tf=((250x900x315)+(200x900x15)+(900x4.1x15))/((250x130)+(200x900)+(900x4.1)
Tf=(70875000+2700000+55350)/(32500+180000+3690)
Tf=40.1
I'm not sure if I'm on the right track.
The math is not consistent with your second Relevant equation. Try again.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Bystander