A student did an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal alloy. The student put a sample of the alloy in boiling water for several minutes, then quickly transferred the alloy into a calorimeter containing water originally at 25°C. The temperature of the water was monitored over time. The data are given in the graph above. (a) What is the value of ΔT that the student should use to calculate the value of q, the heat gained by the water?
(b) In terms of what occurs at the particulate level, explain how the temperature of the water increases after the alloy sample is added.
(c) The student claims that thermal equilibrium is reached at time t. Justify the student’s claim. In your justification, include a description of what occurs at the particulate level when the alloy and the water have reached thermal equilibrium.