Cracking the SAT Physics Subject Test

Here’s How to Crack It

We’re given c, m, and Q, and we know that ∆T = Q/(mc).

Celsius vs. Kelvin

Since temperature

measured in Kelvins is

equal to temperature

measured in Celsius plus a

constant, ∆T in Kelvins is

the same as ∆T in Celsius.

Notice that the temperature of gold increased by 180°C, but the temperature of the
wood increased by only 13°C.

3. A block of Teflon of mass 0.05 kg at a temperature of 430°C is
   placed in a beaker containing 0.5 kg of water (10 times the mass of
   the Teflon block) at room temperature, 20°C. After a while, the
   Teflon and water reach thermal equilibrium (they’re at the same
   temperature). If the specific heat of water is 4 times the specific heat
   of Teflon, what’s the common final temperature of the Teflon and the
   water?

Here’s How to Crack It

Heat always flows from hot to cold. Therefore, when the hot block of Teflon is
placed in the cool water, the Teflon loses heat and the water absorbs it. If we let Tf