Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I did an experiment where I need to find the specific heat capacity of three metals. I noticed that thermal equilibrium in the calorimeter was achieved very quickly when the metal was placed inside of it. Why is this?

When the heated metal is placed in the cold water, there will be a transfer of heat from an area of high temperature (metal) to an area of lower temperature (water), causing the temperature of the water to absorb the heat and the metal to decrease in temperature. Because of the law of conservation of energy, the heat energy transfers and is not lost. Therefore, the heat energy escaping from the metal will enter the water. The metal and water may have different initial temperatures, but when the reaction is finished, the metal and water will have the same final temperature, which means they are at equilibrium. Different metals will react differently with the water. Some may react more quickly and/or release more heat energy into the water.

This website may help:
https://chemdemos.uoregon.edu/demos/Com ... -of-Metals

I hope this helps!