Question

two identical blocks are heated to different temperatures. the blocks are placed so that they touch, and heat begins to flow between the blocks. the pair of blocks is insulated, so no energy escapes. later, the temperature of each block is measured again. which pair of temperatures is possible?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall heat - transfer principle

Heat flows from a higher - temperature object to a lower - temperature object until thermal equilibrium is reached. The initial temperatures are $T_1 = 47^{\circ}C$ and $T_2=169^{\circ}C$. The final temperature of the two - block system (since they are identical and insulated) will be $T=\frac{47 + 169}{2}=\frac{216}{2}=108^{\circ}C$ when they reach thermal equilibrium.

Answer:

Block 1: $108^{\circ}C$, Block 2: $108^{\circ}C$