Question

A piece of solid copper, at 10°C, is dropped into a graduated cylinder of 100°C water. Which statement BEST describes the change in heat energy in this system?
Responses
A Both water and copper temperatures decrease.Both water and copper temperatures decrease.
B The temperatures of both substances remain constant.The temperatures of both substances remain constant.
C Water temperature increases; copper temperature decreases.Water temperature increases; copper temperature decreases.
D Water temperature decreases; copper temperature increases.

Answer 1

D

Heat flows from the hotter water (100°C) to the colder copper (10°C), so the water cools and the copper warms until they reach thermal equilibrium (heat lost by the water = heat gained by the copper).