A sealed, well-insulated container holds equal masses of water and oil that have reached thermal equilibrium at 55∘C. The lid is briefly removed for 10s, allowing room air at 25∘C to enter and mix with the headspace above the liquids. The lid is then replaced, restoring the container’s insulation. Which of the following statements best predicts the subsequent thermal behavior of the water-oil system over the next several minutes?
(a) The trapped air will go on drawing energy from the liquids until the entire system reaches the ambient 25∘C.
(b) As soon as the lid is replaced, energy transfer stops because no heat can enter or leave the sealed container, so the liquids remain at 55∘C.
(c) The liquids will transfer a small amount of energy to the trapped air until all three components come to a common temperature slightly below 55∘C, after which no net energy flows.
(d) Heat will continue flowing from the water to the oil indefinitely because oil’s lower thermal conductivity prevents the two from equilibrating.