What is the initial temperature of the heated aluminum bolt?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the initial temperature of a heated aluminum bolt after it is placed in water within a calorimeter. The context includes specific masses and temperatures of the aluminum bolt, water, and calorimeter cup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of a formula to find the final temperature and question the inclusion of all relevant masses in the calculations. There is a suggestion to express heat loss and gain in terms of temperature, emphasizing the importance of considering the signs of temperature changes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising concerns about the initial approach and the need for a more comprehensive method. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between heat lost and gained, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the presence of three masses in the problem, which may affect the calculations. There is an implicit understanding that the problem is part of a homework assignment, which may impose certain constraints on the discussion.

Mr.Helms
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An aluminum bolt has a mass of 21.3 g. It is heated then placed into 839 g of water in a copper calorimeter cup with a mass of 137 g. The initial temperature of the water and the copper cup is 16 oC. The bolt, water and cup arive at an equilibrium temperature of 18.4 oC. What was the temperature in degrees celsius of the bolt before it was placed in the water?
 
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I used this formula and got wrong answer, need help.

Tf = (m1C1T1 + m2C2T2) / (m1C1 + m2C2)

And got 541.3 Degrees C. What is wrong.?
 
I see three masses in the problem statement and you only have two in your equation...
 
It's never a good idea to write a one line answer, because this will usually give incorrect results. First observe that the heat (heat, not temperature) lost by the bolt is equal to the heat gained by the calorimeter and the water. Figure out how to express the heat loss and the heat gain in terms of temperature. Pay careful attention to the sign of your delta T's. And then finally, solve for the desired quantity.
 
sounds like homework to me.
 

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