Calculating Latent Heat of Vaporisation: 3 kW Kettle, 2.0 kg Water @ 100oC

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the calculation of latent heat of vaporization using a 3 kW kettle with 2.0 kg of water at 100°C. The latent heat of vaporization for water is given as 2256 kJ/kg, leading to confusion over the conversion to joules and the use of scientific notation. Participants clarify that the teacher used 2256 x 10^3 to express the value in joules, resulting in 3.38 x 10^6 J or 3.38 MJ. The conversation also touches on the use of standard prefixes, explaining that certain values may not have a direct prefix and are expressed in kilojoules instead. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding unit conversions and scientific notation in thermal calculations.
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A 3 kW kettle contains 2.0 kg of water at a temperature close to 100oC.


Latent heat of vaporisation for water: Lv=2256 (kJ kg^-1)

Q= Lv x mass



Ok I understand this problem because I now the answer but I don't understand the process.

Like my teacher wrote 2256x10^3 why he wrote 10^3 ?? I don't understand ! .. so he plugged into the equation and he get 2256x10^3 x 1.5kg = the first answer is 3.38x10^6 J But again I understand why he wrote 10^6? what's the point ... because If put in my calculator 2256 x 1.5 = 3384 ... , and the final answer is 3.38 MJ what happen to the 10^6 ?? why he convert to MJ I really confused help me please!
Thank you..
 
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luigihs said:
A 3 kW kettle contains 2.0 kg of water at a temperature close to 100oC.


Latent heat of vaporisation for water: Lv=2256 (kJ kg^-1)

Q= Lv x mass



Ok I understand this problem because I now the answer but I don't understand the process.

Like my teacher wrote 2256x10^3 why he wrote 10^3 ?? I don't understand ! .. so he plugged into the equation and he get 2256x10^3 x 1.5kg = the first answer is 3.38x10^6 J But again I understand why he wrote 10^6? what's the point ... because If put in my calculator 2256 x 1.5 = 3384 ... , and the final answer is 3.38 MJ what happen to the 10^6 ?? why he convert to MJ I really confused help me please!
Thank you..

Unit prefixes and powers of ten: read here
 
gneill said:
Unit prefixes and powers of ten: read here

Cheers but I still struggling how can i get 3.38x10^6
 
MJ = megaJoules = 106 Joules
 
gneill said:
MJ = megaJoules = 106 Joules


Ok but that doesn't make sense because I have another problem with the same type of answer
E =1.5kg * 4190 J kg-1 K-1 x 85o = 5.34*10^5 J = 534 kJ. and there is no 10^5 in the decimal prefixes ...
 
534 kJ = 534 x 103 J = 5.34 x 10^5 J

The reason it was specified as 534 kJ is because there's no 105 prefix.

Standard prefixes are for powers that are multiples of three (kilo and above).
 
gneill said:
534 kJ = 534 x 103 J = 5.34 x 10^5 J

The reason it was specified as 534 kJ is because there's no 105 prefix.

Standard prefixes are for powers that are multiples of three (kilo and above).

So the answer is in Kj because is 10^5 and is between 10^5 and 10^3 ??
 
luigihs said:
So the answer is in Kj because is 10^5 and is between 10^5 and 10^3 ??

Essentially, yes.

Sometimes you'll see values like 0.341 kJ or 1500 MW where the convention is "bent" a bit. Usually this is done to make the particular number have common units with other like-values for comparison (like entries in a table of values), or where one particular prefix would not handle all of the values to be shown.
 
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