Physics

Problem

0.50\,\text{kg}

block of aluminum (specific heat capacity

c_{\!Al}=900\,\text{J}\,\text{kg}^{-1}\,\text{K}^{-1}

) at 400 K is placed in thermal contact with

0.30\,\text{kg}

of water (specific heat capacity

c_{\!w}=4200\,\text{J}\,\text{kg}^{-1}\,\text{K}^{-1}

) at 300 K inside a perfectly insulated, rigid calorimeter. No phase changes occur and no mechanical work is done. The system is isolated from its surroundings. (a) Determine the final equilibrium temperature of the system. (b) Calculate the change in entropy for the aluminum, for the water, and for the isolated system as a whole. (c) Discuss whether the calculated total entropy change is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

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