The surface of a heated metal object measures 120°C. It is dropped into a bucket filled with water measuring 10°C.

Which of the following is most likely to occur?

a
Both the water and metal will adjust to the same temperature below 10°C.
b
The water will remain the same temperature, but the metal will cool to 10°C
c
The water and metal will adjust to different temperatures above 120°C.
d
The water and metal will adjust to the same temperature between 10°C and 120°C.

1 answer

d. The water and metal will adjust to the same temperature between 10°C and 120°C.

When the hot metal object is placed in the cooler water, heat will transfer from the metal to the water until they both reach thermal equilibrium. This means that they will both adjust to the same temperature somewhere between 10°C and 120°C.