Calculating Steam Needed to Heat Espresso from 50C to 80C

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the amount of steam required to heat a specific volume of espresso from 50°C to 80°C. The espresso is primarily water, and the question also asks for the volume of the steam, assuming it behaves as an ideal gas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of energy balance equations involving the mass of espresso, specific heat capacities, and temperature changes. Some participants express uncertainty about the numerical values for specific heat and the correct setup of the equations.

Discussion Status

Several participants have shared their approaches, but there is no clear consensus on the correct method or calculations. Some have noted that their setups are similar but have received feedback indicating errors. The urgency of the homework deadline has been highlighted, prompting requests for assistance.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to homework software feedback indicating incorrect answers, and there is a sense of urgency due to a looming deadline.

Physics321
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I am having trouble with this question:

The temperature of the espresso coffee (mostly water) can be increased by blowing 100 C steam into it. How much steam (in grams) is needed to heat up a 20 cm^3 cup of espresso from 50 C to 80 C? What is the volume of this quantity of steam assuming that the steam is an ideal gas?

So far I have started like so:

Since the 20 cm^3 conversion to grams with water is just 1:1 I just said 20 g of water for starting.

And approached it like so:

(20g)(1 g/cal)(80 C – 50 C)= -ms(-540 cal/g) + (1 cal/g)(80 C – 100 C) and got ms to be roughly 1.11 g of steam.
 
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Don't know the numbers for cal off by heart but that's the right approach

mass coffee * specific heat cap * temp change = energy (steam->water) + mass steam * specific heat cap water * temp change (from 100 to final T)
 
my approach is

mass of coffee*specific heat of water(1cal/g/K)*delta T= mass of steam * heat of condensation(540cal/g)+mass of steam * 1cal/g/K* (100-final T)

and the homework software determined that I am wrong

HELP! due tomorrow 10 am
 
help!
 
anyone?
 
1989.1989 said:
my approach is

mass of coffee*specific heat of water(1cal/g/K)*delta T= mass of steam * heat of condensation(540cal/g)+mass of steam * 1cal/g/K* (100-final T)

and the homework software determined that I am wrong

HELP! due tomorrow 10 am
It may be too late to help you, but here is some advice for the future:

Show what answer you got. You have set up the correct equation, so we can't tell where your mistake is.

This forum has people from all over the world, from many different time zones. We don't know when "10 am" is for you.

Don't bump your thread every couple of hours.
 

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