Chapter 12.1, Problem 13SSC

To determine

To Explain: Whether the thermal energy of a bowl of hot water can be equal to that of bowl of cold water.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

A bowl of hot water and cold water is given. The thermal energy is related to the internal energy of a substance which is directly related to its temperature. Temperature is the measure of hotness or coldness of the substance.

Here, one can consider that the bowl of hot water and cold water have equal mass. Also, since both bowls contain water, the specific heat is same. Now, the thermal energy is the internal energy of the substance. Because the temperature of hot water is higher than cold water, the thermal energy would be different.

If the mass of the cold water is greater than the hot water i.e. when cold water in a bigger bowl is considered, in that case, the thermal energy of the two can be equal.