Objects A$,$ B$,$ and C are at different temperatures, A lowest and C highest. The three objects are put in thermal contact with each other simultaneously. Without doing a calculation, is it possible to determine whether object B will gain or lose thermal energy? Yes. B always gains energy. No$.$ It depends partly on the initial temperatures, specific heats, and masses of A$,$ B$,$ and C$.$ Yes. B always loses energy. Practice It Use the worked example above to help you solve this problem. A $124$ g block of an unknown substance with a temperature of $90\mathrm{.}0\backslash$deg C is placed in a Styrofoam cup containing $0\mathrm{.}311$ kg of water at $20\mathrm{.}0\backslash$deg C$.$ The system reaches an equilibrium temperature of $22\mathrm{.}4\backslash$deg C$.$ What is the specific heat, cx$,$ of the unknown substance if the heat capacity of the cup is neglected? J$/$kg $\backslash$deg C Exercise A $274$ g block of gold at $81\mathrm{.}0\backslash$deg C is immersed in $155$ g of water at $25\mathrm{.}0\backslash$deg C$.$ Find the equilibrium temperature, assuming the system is isolated and the heat capacity of the cup can be neglected. $\backslash$deg C