Calculating Change in Entropy for Water Turning into Steam

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in entropy for 1 kg of water transitioning to steam, with initial and final temperatures provided. The problem involves concepts from thermodynamics, specifically relating to heat transfer and phase changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for integrating the change in entropy due to temperature variation during the heating process. There are attempts to clarify the correct formulas for calculating entropy changes, including the integration of heat over temperature.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different methods to calculate the change in entropy, with some suggesting the use of logarithmic relationships and others questioning the accuracy of the provided answer key. There is an ongoing dialogue about the correct approach to include both heating and vaporization in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about integration and the formulas needed, indicating a potential gap in their resources or understanding. The discussion also highlights a discrepancy between calculated results and the answer key, prompting further inquiry into the correctness of the key.

physgrl
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Homework Statement



Suppose that 1 kg of water, initially at 350 K, is turned into steam at 373 K. What is the change in entropy? (Lv = 2.26 x 106 J/kg; cwater = 4186 J/(kg Co)

a. 6060 J/K
b. 6070 J/K
c. 6320 J/K
d. 6330 J/K

Homework Equations



ΔS=ΔQ/T
Q=mcΔT
Q=mL

The Attempt at a Solution



heat is needed to get the water to the boiling point 100C or 373K and then heat is needed
to vaporize the water

ΔS=(mcΔT+mL)/T
ΔS=(1kg*4186J/kg*23K+1kg*2.26x10^6)/373
ΔS=6320

and the answer key says it is supposed to be 6070
what am I doing wrong?
 
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Hi physgrl! :smile:

The temperature changes while heating.
This means that your formula ΔS=ΔQ/T is not right.
You need to integrate for that part of the process: ΔS=∫dQ/T
 
What is the right formula?
 
For the part where the water is heating up, you should use:

ΔS=∫dQ/T

substitute dQ=m c dT

and integrate from T1=350 K to T2=373 K


Do you know how to do that?
 
No sory idk how to integrate yet
 
All right. In that case you should have the following formula as a given.
\Delta S=m c \ln({T_2 \over T_1})

Do you have that somewhere on a formula sheet or something?
 
Nop...i didnt have it. But with that formula how would I include the energy from the vaporization?
 
physgrl said:
Nop...i didnt have it. But with that formula how would I include the energy from the vaporization?

Since T is constant for vaporization at T2=373 K, the change in entropy is what you already had:
\Delta S={m L \over T_2}
 
Ohh ok so the total would be the sum of the mcln(t1/t2)+mL/t2
 
  • #10
Almost.
You seem to have reversed the temperatures in the formula.
 
  • #11
Ohh ok...thanks :)
 
  • #12
So... did you get the right answer?
 
  • #13
I did it and got 6325 but the answer key says 6070 still
 
  • #14
I just calculated it myself and I also get 6325.
So I suspect your answer key is wrong.

Let me check with the specialists and I'll get back to you.
 
  • #15
:) ok
 
  • #16
I just got a response back from my esteemed colleague and specialist in the field, vela, who says, and I quote:
vela said:
The answer key appears to be wrong.
 
  • #17
Hehe okay thank you :)
 

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