Question

a researcher places a hot glass of water (100°c) and a cold metal block (10°c) in a closed system. which of the following statements are correct regarding the heat transfer process? a. thermal energy will flow from the metal block to the glass of water. b. thermal energy transfer between the metal block and the glass will continue (gain and lose) until thermal c. the metal block will eventually reach a temperature above 10°c. d. the glass of water will remain at 100°c throughout the experiment.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze heat transfer direction

Thermal energy (heat) always flows from a higher - temperature object to a lower - temperature object. Here, the glass of water is at \(100^{\circ}C\) (higher temperature) and the metal block is at \(10^{\circ}C\) (lower temperature). So, thermal energy will flow from the glass of water to the metal block initially. But option A is wrong as it says the opposite.

Step2: Analyze thermal equilibrium

When two objects are in contact in a closed system, heat transfer (gain and loss) continues until they reach thermal equilibrium (the same temperature). Option B is correct.

Step3: Analyze final temperature

Since heat is transferred from the water (which loses heat) to the metal block (which gains heat), the final temperature of the metal block will be higher than its initial temperature (\(10^{\circ}C\)) and the final temperature of the water will be lower than its initial temperature (\(100^{\circ}C\)). So, option C is wrong.

Step4: Analyze water temperature

The water will not remain at \(100^{\circ}C\) throughout the experiment because it is losing heat to the metal block. So, option D is wrong.

Answer:

B. Thermal energy transfer between the metal block and the glass will continue (gain and lose) until thermal equilibrium.