512 g of an unknown metal at a temperature of 15°C is dropped into a 100 g aluminum container holding 325 g of water at 98°C. A short time later, the container of water and metal stabilizes at a new temperature of 78°C. Identify the metal.

Key Concepts

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a crucial property in thermal energy calculations, as different materials absorb and release heat at different rates. Understanding specific heat allows us to analyze how substances interact thermally, particularly in heat transfer scenarios.

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another due to a temperature difference. In this scenario, heat flows from the hot water and aluminum container to the cooler metal until thermal equilibrium is reached. This concept is essential for solving problems involving temperature changes and energy conservation.

Thermal Equilibrium

Thermal equilibrium occurs when two or more objects in thermal contact reach the same temperature, resulting in no net heat flow between them. In the given problem, the metal, water, and aluminum container reach a common final temperature of 78°C. This principle is fundamental in determining the final state of a system after heat exchange.