Calculating heat capacity from q=mCsΔT!

[Regina Chi 2K]

So I have 25.0 grams of a metal at 90°C and that is added to 50.0 grams of water at 25°C. The temperature of the water rises to 29.8°C. And they want us to find the specific heat capacity of the metal. I do understand we use q(metal)=-q(water), but can we assume that the final temperature of the metal in the water is also 29.8°C? This is problem 7.40 regarding enthalpies.

[Kayla Denton 1A]

Yes! The water and metal will reach thermal equilibrium and have the same final temperature.

[Neil DSilva 1L]

If the water and the metal weren't at the same temperature, there would still be heat flow from the metal (higher temperature) to the water (lower temperature), since heat is the energy transferred as a result of a temperature difference.