Solid A, with mass M, is at its melting point T_A.It is placed in thermal contact with solid B, with heat capacity C_B and initially at temperature T_B (T_B T_A).The combination is thermally isolated.A has latent heat of fusion L and when it has melted has heat capacity C_A.If A completely melts the final temperature of both A and B is:

Question

Solid A, with mass M, is at its melting point T_A.It is placed in thermal contact with solid B, with heat capacity C_B and initially at temperature T_B (T_B > T_A).The combination is thermally isolated.A has latent heat of fusion L and when it has melted has heat capacity C_A.If A completely melts the final temperature of both A and B is:

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The final temperature can be found by equating the heat gained by solid A (including the heat needed for its phase change) to the heat lost by solid B, and solving for the final temperature. The correct formula accounts for the heat capacity of both substances, the latent heat of fusion for A, and the initial temperatures of both A and B.

Solid A, with Mass M, Is at Its Melting Point