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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Thanks for the feedback I got from =
my
question. I read the (unmodified) question in a book several years =
ago and
the problem resurfaced last week at a gathering I was at (where these =
kinds of
conversations come up). Most agreed that the energy lost from the
compressed springs due to being dissolved by the HCl, was dispersed as
heat. One or two intellectuals did come up with interesting =
alternatives
as was the case with this forum. The consensus seems to be however =
is that
the energy was given off as HEAT - and that's the explanation that makes =
the
best sense to me. Thanks. Brian Holden =
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