A sample of sodium hydroxide dissolves in water,releasing heat to the surrounding water and causing the temperature to rise by 20 °C.If the heat change for the reaction is -300 J,what is the heat change for the surrounding water?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The heat change for the surrounding water is +300 J because the system (sodium hydroxide) releases heat (-300 J), which means the surroundings (water) absorb the same amount of heat but with the opposite sign, hence +300 J.

A Sample of Sodium Hydroxide Dissolves in Water,releasing Heat to the Surrounding