A student arranges two blocks of copper next to each other so that they are touching. At the start of the experiment, Block 1's temperature is 40 degrees Celsius, and Block 2's temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. The two blocks remain in an isolated system until all heat energy is transferred. Which picture correctly shows the block's ending temperature?

1 answer

In an isolated system where two blocks of different temperatures are in thermal contact, heat will flow from the hotter object to the cooler one until they reach thermal equilibrium. In this case, Block 1 starts at 40 degrees Celsius and Block 2 starts at 20 degrees Celsius.

The final temperature of both blocks, once they reach equilibrium, will be somewhere between 20 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius. The exact final temperature can be calculated using the concept of heat transfer, taking into account their respective masses and specific heat capacities. If we assume both blocks have the same mass and specific heat capacities, the final temperature \( T_f \) can be calculated as:

\[ T_f = \frac{(m_1 \cdot T_1 + m_2 \cdot T_2)}{m_1 + m_2} \]

Assuming equal masses for simplification:

\[ T_f = \frac{(1 \cdot 40 + 1 \cdot 20)}{1 + 1} = \frac{60}{2} = 30 \text{ degrees Celsius} \]

Thus, the ending temperature of both blocks will be 30 degrees Celsius.

If you have pictures to choose from, the correct picture would be one showing both blocks at 30 degrees Celsius.