Air passes over an electrical heater at a steady rate of 2500cm^3 per second.

AI Thread Summary
Air passes over an electrical heater at a rate of 2500 cm³ per second, with an inlet temperature of 20°C and an outlet temperature of 40°C. The calculations for heat absorbed by the air and the power rating of the heater involve using the equation Q=mcΔθ. A mistake was identified in the initial calculation regarding the density of air, which is 1.2 kg/m³, not kg/cm³. This error led to an incorrect mass of air being used in the calculations. After correcting the mistake, the student successfully solved the problem.
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Homework Statement



Air passes over an electrical heater at a steady rate of 2500cm^3 per second. The inlet temperature of the air is 20^oC ( 20 degrees celcius ) and the steady outlet temperature is 40^0C ( 40 degrees celcius)
a) What heat is absorbed by air passing over the heater in 2 hours
b) Obtain an estimate for the power rating of the heater
Density of air ( 1.2 kgcm-3)
Specific heat capacity of air : 1000 J-1Kg-1K-1


Homework Equations


So I think that I should use the equation Q=mcΔθ


The Attempt at a Solution


Here's what I did :
2500cm^3=2500g=2.5kg
Since 2.5kg is heated every second then 2hrs of heating would heat 2.5x7200 = 18,000kg of air.
ΔθOutlet-Inlet temperature = 40-20 = 20 degree celcius change in temperature,
Specific Heat capacity of air : 1000 Jkg-1K-1
Q=mxcxΔθ
= 18000x1000x20
=3.6x10^8
Which is wrong because the answer at the back of the book had 4.32x10^5. I've tried, but I really need some help :) Thanks



 
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Hi Student-! Welcome to PF! :smile:

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Quickly dividing 4.32 by 3.6, my eye is drawn to …
Student- said:
Density of air ( 1.2 kgcm-3)

:wink:
 
I think you have mis- calculated the mass of air.
The density of air is 1.2kg/m^3 not 1.2kg/cm^3
 
technician said:
I think you have mis- calculated the mass of air.
The density of air is 1.2kg/m^3 not 1.2kg/cm^3

Thanks a lot :D I got out the question and I saw my error- :)
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi Student-! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(try using the X2 button just above the Reply box :wink:)

Quickly dividing 4.32 by 3.6, my eye is drawn to …


:wink:


Thanks I got it out eventually :D :)
 
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