Calorimetry - Water & Ice Problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a calorimetry problem involving a 10-gram quantity of water at 25 degrees Celsius and a 400-gram block of ice at -10 degrees Celsius. The calculations utilize the specific heat capacities of water (4186 J/kgK) and ice (2100 J/kgK), along with the latent heat of fusion for ice (334,000 J/kg). The final equilibrium temperature was incorrectly calculated as -12.4 degrees Celsius, which contradicts the expected behavior of the system, indicating an error in the heat transfer calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calorimetry principles
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacity
  • Familiarity with latent heat concepts
  • Ability to solve equations involving heat transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the concept of heat transfer in phase changes
  • Learn about the conservation of energy in calorimetry problems
  • Practice solving calorimetry problems with varying masses and temperatures
  • Explore the implications of negative heat values in thermodynamic calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, physics educators, and anyone seeking to understand heat transfer in calorimetry scenarios.

catspajamas
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 10 gram quantity of water at 25 degrees Celsius is poured onto a 400 gram block of ice which is at -10 degrees Celsius. Assume that all the heat is contained within these two objects. Determine the final equilibrium temperature.
Specific heat of water is 4186 J/kgK
Specific heat of ice is 2100 J/kgK
Latent heat of fusion of ice is 334,000 J/kgK


Homework Equations



Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = mLf

The Attempt at a Solution



Qwater + Qice = 0

Water cools to 0\cdotC
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.010 kg)(4186 J/kgK(0\cdot - 25\cdotC)
Q = -1046.5 J

Water freezes at 0\cdotC
Q = mLf
Q = (0.010 kg)(334,000 J/kgK)
Q = 3340 J

Water, which is now ice, cools to final temperature Tf
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.010 kg)(2100 J/kgK)(Tf - 0\cdotC)
Q = 21(Tf)

Ice heats up to final temperature Tf
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.400 kg)(2100 J/kgK)(Tf - -10\cdotC)
Q = 840(Tf) + 8400 J

Putting everything together...
Qwater + Qice = 0
-1046.5 J + 3340 J + 21(Tf) + 840(Tf) + 8400 J = 0
861(Tf) = -10,693.5 J
Tf = -12.4\cdotC

This can't be the right temperature for Tf because the ice starts at -10 \cdotC and it's supposed to heat up! (Isn't it?)

If someone could please give me a hint as to what I'm doing wrong, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi catspajamas,

catspajamas said:

Homework Statement



A 10 gram quantity of water at 25 degrees Celsius is poured onto a 400 gram block of ice which is at -10 degrees Celsius. Assume that all the heat is contained within these two objects. Determine the final equilibrium temperature.
Specific heat of water is 4186 J/kgK
Specific heat of ice is 2100 J/kgK
Latent heat of fusion of ice is 334,000 J/kgK


Homework Equations



Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = mLf

The Attempt at a Solution



Qwater + Qice = 0

Water cools to 0\cdotC
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.010 kg)(4186 J/kgK(0\cdot - 25\cdotC)
Q = -1046.5 J

Water freezes at 0\cdotC
Q = mLf
Q = (0.010 kg)(334,000 J/kgK)
Q = 3340 J

I have not checked all of your numbers, but this does not look right to me. Notice in the previous quantity, Q is negative when heat leaves the water (as it cools to zero degrees). If water is freezing, is heat entering or leaving the water?


Water, which is now ice, cools to final temperature Tf
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.010 kg)(2100 J/kgK)(Tf - 0\cdotC)
Q = 21(Tf)

Ice heats up to final temperature Tf
Q = mc\DeltaT
Q = (0.400 kg)(2100 J/kgK)(Tf - -10\cdotC)
Q = 840(Tf) + 8400 J

Putting everything together...
Qwater + Qice = 0
-1046.5 J + 3340 J + 21(Tf) + 840(Tf) + 8400 J = 0
861(Tf) = -10,693.5 J
Tf = -12.4\cdotC

This can't be the right temperature for Tf because the ice starts at -10 \cdotC and it's supposed to heat up! (Isn't it?)

If someone could please give me a hint as to what I'm doing wrong, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!
 

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K