Calculating Final Temperature: Enthalpy of Fusion vs Specific Heat

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving the calculation of final temperature when adding energy to ice at zero degrees Celsius. The original poster presents a scenario where 0.835 kJ is added to 10g of ice, questioning the final temperature based on the enthalpy of fusion and specific heat.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the energy required for phase change using enthalpy of fusion and later considers using specific heat for temperature change. Some participants question the necessity of a temperature change and whether all the ice is expected to melt.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, with some affirming the original poster's calculation while others suggest that the final temperature remains at zero degrees Celsius due to insufficient energy to change the phase completely. There is a mix of agreement and differing perspectives on the implications of the energy added.

Contextual Notes

There is a concern about the expectations of the problem, particularly regarding the energy required to change the state of the ice and the implications of not achieving a temperature change. The discussion reflects on the nature of phase transitions and the role of specific heat versus enthalpy of fusion.

bomba923
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I figured that this was a thermodynamics post, so here's my question:

0.835 kJ is added to 10g ice @ zero-Celsius. The enthalpy of fusion for ice is 6 kJ/mol. What is the final temperature??

I do: (10g/1)*(1mol/18g)*(6.0kJ/mol) and get 3.33kJ to change the zero-

celsius ice to zero-celsius water; thus, my answer is zero-degrees Celsius.

Something MUST be wrong---What is it??
Perhaps I should use specific heat instead of enthalpy of fusion?...
Specific heat of ice = 1.8 J/C = 0.0018 kJ/C

if so, I find the temperature change as q/(m*Cp), and get
(835 J)/((10g/1)*(1mol/18g)*(1.8 J/C)) = 835 Change in Celsius??
(where 0.835 kJ = 835 J)
(so i convert everything to joules)
 
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Why do you think your first answer is wrong? (Hint: have you changed the ice to liquid water?)

AM
 
Well, today i asked my teacher, and she said the first answer was right!

It's not that...but, i just get concerned about questions where I might expect a change to occur...but it doesn't! I mean, it's just that having not enough energy to raise the temperature...in this case, for example...doesn't seem right to put on a problem (well, if it changed zero degrees celsius, what's the point of the problem??)
 
Maybe this is just a trick question, and not all the ice is supposed to melt.
 
Bomba's initial answer is correct. The final temperature is zero degrees C and the result is a water-ice mix at that temperature.

The specific heat of ice only comes in when you're heating up ice at subzero temperatures to the melting point. After that point is reached, it's all about enthalpy of fusion, and the temperature remains constant during phase transition. If you don't put enough energy into the system to melt all the ice, the temperature is going to remain at zero deg C.
 

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