An aluminum block with a temperature of 300oC is placed into 200 milliliters of water with a temperature of 20oC. Which statement best describes what will be observed in this experiment? a Heat will flow from the metal to the water until both are at the temperature of the container. b Heat will flow from the metal to the water until both are 20oC. c Heat will flow from the metal to the water until both are 300oC. d Heat will flow from the metal to the water until both are at a temperature somewhere between 20oC and 300oC.
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The correct answer is d) Heat will flow from the metal to the water until both are at a temperature somewhere between 20oC and 300oC. This is because heat always flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until both objects reach a thermal equilibrium. In this case, the aluminum block will transfer heat to the water until both reach a temperature somewhere between 20oC and 300oC, but not necessarily equal to either of those temperatures.
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