Calculating Time to Heat 52 Gallons of Water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time required to heat 52 gallons of water in a hot water heater using a power input of 4800 watts, with the temperature increase specified from 60°F to 120°F. The conversation includes unit conversions and verification of calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving heating 52 gallons of water and shares their calculations.
  • Another participant initially misstates the volume as 52 pounds and suggests converting to SI units for clarity.
  • A participant confirms the correct volume is 52 gallons and asserts that their calculations were accurate.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of unit conversions and whether the calculations were performed correctly.
  • One participant seeks confirmation of their answer, indicating uncertainty about its correctness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the volume being 52 gallons, but there is some uncertainty regarding the calculations and the need for unit conversions. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the correctness of the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the conversion between units and the assumptions made in the calculations. Specific details about the methodology used for the calculations are not fully elaborated.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals working on similar problems involving heat transfer and energy calculations in thermodynamics.

Jason03
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the problem I am working on asks to find how long it would take to heat 52 gallons of water in a hot water heater if 4800 watts is being used and the temperature needs to be raised from 60 F to 120 F...

My work is below...

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/jason03_2009/hw1.jpg
 
Last edited:
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Jason03 said:
the problem I am working on asks to find how long it would take to heat 52 pounds of water in a hot water heater if 4800 watts is being used and the temperature needs to be raised from 60 F to 120 F...

My work is below...

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/jason03_2009/hw1.jpg

I'm not used to working in those units, but your approach looks sound. Did you get the correct answer? If not, try converting into mks units, and re-calculating to see what answer you get.
 
Yea I am used to SI units as well...I just worked with the units given since the conversions were given...I guess I could try it the other way to if I did it correctly
 
Jason03 said:
the problem I am working on asks to find how long it would take to heat 52 pounds of water in a hot water heater if 4800 watts is being used and the temperature needs to be raised from 60 F to 120 F...

My work is below...

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/jason03_2009/hw1.jpg

Is the water 52 pounds or 52 gallons?
 
good call...its 52 gallons.. but I did the correct conversion in my calculations...
 
Thanks!...Just checking to see if it was right...
 

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