Answer:
Initial temperature of the chemical = 97°
Step-by-step explanation:
Time Temperature Difference
4 89.5 -
10 78.25 78.25 - 89.5 = -11.25
16 67.00 67 - 78.25 = -11.25
There is a common difference of -11.25 in each successive term.
Therefore, cooling of a chemical represents a linear function.
Let the function representing temperature is,
f(t) = at + b
Where 'a' = rate of change in temperature
b = initial temperature
t = time
Now 'a' = [tex]\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{78.25-89.5}{10-4}[/tex]
a = -1.875
f(t) = -1.875t + b
For t = 4 and f(t) = 89.50,
89.50 = -1.875(4) + b
b = 97
Therefore, function representing the cooling of chemical is,
f(t) = -1.875t + 97
And the initial temperature of the chemical was 97° when it was poured into the beaker.
