A248-g piece of copper is dropped into 390 ml of water at 22.6 °c. the final temperature of the water was measured as 39.9 °c. calculate the initial temperature of the piece of copper. assume that all heat transfer occurs between the copper and the water.

The answer to your question is: Initial temperature of copper = 67.1°C

Explanation:

Data

mass Copper = 248 g

volume Water = 390 ml

T1 water = 22.6°C

T2           = 39.9°C

T1 copper = ?

Specific heat water = 1 cal/g°C

Specific heat copper = 0.092 cal/g°C

Formula       copper             water

Heat is negative for copper because it releases heat

                  - mCp(T2 - T1) = mCp(T2 - T1)                  

                  - (248)(39.9 - T1) = 390 (1)((39.9 - 22.6)           Substitution

                 -9895.2 + 248T1 = 390(17.3)                             Simplification

                 -9895.2 + 248T1 = 6747

                 248 T1 = 6747 + 9895.2

                 248 T1 = 16642.2

                 T1 = 16642.2 / 248

                 T1 = 67.1 °C                                                         Result