A heated rock is placed in a container of water that is cooler than room temperature. Which of the following statements best describes what happens?
A)Cold is removed from the container of water until the rock, the container, and the water all reach the same final temperature.
B)The heated rock loses heat to the container of water until the rock, the container, and the water all reach the same final temperature.
C)The heated rock loses heat to the container of water until the rock, the container, and the water each reach a different final temperature.
D)Cold is removed from the container of water until the rock, the container, and the water each reach a final temperature lower than their original temperatures.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heat transfer occurs from the heated rock to the cooler water (and container) until thermal equilibrium is reached, meaning they all come to the same final temperature. This process is governed by the principle that heat flows from a hotter object to a cooler one until temperatures equalize.

A Heated Rock Is Placed in a Container of Water