Multiple choice

A liquid of mass m and specific heat c is heated to a temperature T. Another liquid of mass (m/2) and specific heat 2c is heated to a temperature 2T. If these two liquids are mixed, the resulting temperature of the mixture will be

  1. (2/3)T

  2. (8/5)T

  3. (3/5)T

  4. (3/2)T
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Heat lost = Heat gained. m*c*(T - Tf) = (m/2)2c(Tf - 2T). T - Tf = Tf - 2T. 2Tf = 3T. Tf = 1.5T = (3/2)T.

AI explanation

The thermal energy of the system is conserved, meaning the heat lost by the hotter liquid equals the heat gained by the colder one. This gives the equation (m times c times the temperature change of the first) equals (m divided by 2 times 2c times the temperature change of the second). Since the product of mass and specific heat is identical for both liquids, the final temperature is their weighted average, calculated as (T plus 2T) divided by 2. The resulting temperature of the mixture is (3 divided by 2)T.

Keep practicing — related questions