A metal sample is heated and placed into the water in a calorimeter at room temperature. Which statement best describes how the calorimeter can be used to determine the specific heat capacity of the metal sample?

The metal starts hotter than the water and calorimeter, so thermal energy flows from the metal to the cooler surroundings. The transfer continues until the metal, water, and calorimeter reach the same final temperature. Measuring the temperature changes lets you use the energy gained by the water and calorimeter to determine the metal’s specific heat capacity. Choice B describes this process.

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