Two blocks at different temperatures are placed in contact in an insulated box. Heat flows until
- A. the block with more mass becomes hotter
- B. both reach the same temperature
- C. both reach the same internal energy
- D. the hotter block loses all its energy
Explanation
Transfer continues only while a temperature difference exists, so equilibrium is reached when the temperatures match, not when the energies do. The heat lost by the hotter block equals the heat gained by the cooler one, which is the principle used in calorimetry. The final temperature depends on both masses and both specific heat capacities.