Heat required to melt an iceberg

  • Thread starter ttk3
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Heat
In summary, a conversation about a homework problem involving the melting of icebergs in the North Atlantic and the energy required to melt a certain percentage of an iceberg. The correct equation for this scenario is Q = m L_{f}, where L_{f} is the latent heat of fusion for water.
  • #1
ttk3
28
0

Homework Statement



I think I'm doing this problem correctly... I'm not sure about my change in temperature value. Any suggestions?



Icebergs in the North Atlantic present hazards to shipping, causing the length of shipping routes to increase by about 30 percent during the iceberg season. Attempts to destroy icebergs include planting explosives, bombing, torpedoing, shelling, ramming, and painting with lampblack. Suppose that direct melting of the iceberg, by placing heat sources in the ice, is tried. How much heat is required to melt 12 percent of a 1.30×105 metric-ton iceberg? One metric ton is equal to 103 kg. Assume that the iceberg is at 0°C. (Note: To appreciate the magnitude of this energy, compare your answer to the Hiroshima atomic bomb which had an energy equivalent to about 15,000 tons of TNT, representing an energy of about 6.0×1013 J.)

Homework Equations



Q = c*m*change in temperature

The Attempt at a Solution




Miceberg = 1.30E8 kg
12% of iceberg = 1.56E7 kg
C ice = 2.00E3

Q = 2.00E3 * 1.30E8 * 1

Q = 3.12 E 5 J
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
Ah... thank you
 
  • #4
Youre using the wrong equation. Like has been stated, its a phase change and the formula would be [tex]Q = m L_{f}[/tex] where [tex]L_{f}[/tex] is the latent heat of fusion for water. IIRC its around 80 kcal/kg for water.
 
Last edited:

Q: What is the definition of heat required to melt an iceberg?

The heat required to melt an iceberg is the amount of thermal energy needed to change the state of the iceberg from solid to liquid.

Q: How is the heat required to melt an iceberg calculated?

The heat required to melt an iceberg can be calculated using the specific heat capacity of ice, the mass of the iceberg, and the latent heat of fusion of ice.

Q: What is the specific heat capacity of ice?

The specific heat capacity of ice is 2.108 J/g·K. This means that it takes 2.108 joules of energy to raise the temperature of 1 gram of ice by 1 degree Celsius.

Q: What is the mass of an average iceberg?

The mass of an average iceberg can vary greatly, but it is estimated to be around 100,000 metric tons.

Q: How much heat is required to melt an average iceberg?

The heat required to melt an average iceberg can be calculated using the specific heat capacity of ice, the mass of the iceberg, and the latent heat of fusion of ice. It is estimated that it would take approximately 334 million joules of energy to melt an average iceberg.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
956
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Back
Top