Calculating Mass of Water in NH4Cl Solution After Temp Change

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of water in a solution of NH4Cl after a temperature change. Participants are addressing a specific problem involving thermodynamics, enthalpy of solution, and specific heat capacity, with a focus on the mathematical setup and unit conversions required for the calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a calculation method for determining the mass of water in the solution, using the temperature change and enthalpy of solution.
  • Another participant suggests correcting the sign of the temperature change to reflect the correct calculation approach.
  • A participant points out a potential error in the unit conversion, indicating that the enthalpy should be expressed in J/mol rather than J.
  • There is a mention of the importance of conservation of units in solving the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach initially, with some disagreement on the handling of temperature change and unit conversions. However, there is acknowledgment of the correction regarding the units of enthalpy.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings in unit conversions and the handling of temperature change signs, which may affect the final calculation. The discussion does not resolve these issues fully.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals working on thermodynamics problems, particularly those involving solutions and calorimetry calculations.

kuahji
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Ok, where am I going wrong on the following problem
What mass of water is in a solution that decreases in temperature from 25.0 to 20.0 when 2.00 g of NH4Cl are added? (The enthalpy of solution is 14.8 kJ/mol, and the specific heat of the solution is assumed to be 4.18 J/g·K.)

I set the problem up where the change in temp = q/(specific heat * mass of solution)

5K = 14800J/(4.18 J/g*K * (2g+xg)) Then I just solved for x & I keep getting around 700g. But the answer is suppose to be 24.5 g. Any ideas where my logic is breaking down?
 
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place a negative sign in front of 5 K -___-;;

kindly note that change in temperature = final - initial...

do remember ok? :)
 
um... ok, that doesn't really change anything... if you look at my equation I already changed q to a positive 14800, whereas it would have been negative along with the change in temp, its a step I skipped showing. Which still doesn't help me, I'm still getting a little over 700g, & the answer is suppose to be 24.5. If I just change the 5 to a negative, I get negative grams :(. Again, it was already compensated for.
 
How many moles?
 
Oh hehheh, bystander spotted it ;p...

Kuahji, it should be 148000 J/mol rather than 148000 J

do a conservation of units, you should be able to work out the answer...
 
Yes, that work... for whatever reason I kept forgetting J/mol. Thanks again.
 

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