Aluminum has a specific heat more than twice that of copper. Identical masses of aluminum and copper, both at 0^oC, are dropped together into a can of hot water. When the system has come to equilibrium,

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The specific heat of a substance is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of the substance by one degree Celsius. Since both the aluminum and copper have the same mass and are dropped into the same can of hot water, they will absorb the same amount of thermal energy from the water. However, aluminum has a higher specific heat than copper, which means it requires more energy to raise its temperature by one degree Celsius. As a result, the aluminum will gain less temperature than the copper, but both will reach the same temperature in the system when thermal equilibrium is reached. Therefore, the correct choice is C - the aluminum and copper are at the same temperature. The difference in temperature between the aluminum and the copper depends on their respective heat capacities. The amount and initial temperature of water in the can do not affect the final temperatures of the aluminum and copper.

Aluminum Has a Specific Heat More Than Twice That of Copper