In the Energy and Specific Heat lab, what temperature should be recorded as the final temperature of the water when measuring the food sample

The final temperature of the water when measuring the food sample is: The temperature of the water when the food sample has finished burning completely.

Explanation:

When measuring the food sample in energy and specific heat lab, it is pertinent to note that there is an initial temperature and even while still burning, the temperature gradually increases. But since we are dealing with final, temperature, what we need is basically the final temperature of the water when the food has finished burning. This is so because that's the final temperature of the water as once the food sample has finished burning and you turn off the heat source, the temperature will start to gradually reduce from then on.

the enthalpy of formation of water is given as -285.8kj/mol, which states that the enthalpy of formation is negative.

negative enthalpy of formation indicates that the heat is released during the reaction process. the heat is released from reaction to the surroundings the enthalpy is expressed with a negative sign with the energy given out in the reaction process.

the formation of water takes place by giving out heat which is -285.8 kj/mol.