Can ml be converted to grams in Heat Capacity and Specific Heat problems?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of milliliters (ml) to grams in the context of heat capacity and specific heat problems, particularly focusing on a homework problem involving stainless steel and water. Participants explore the relationship between volume and mass for water and its implications for solving calorimetry problems.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is possible to convert ml to grams for heat capacity problems, noting that their previous problems did not involve ml.
  • Another participant states that to convert a volume of water to mass, the density of water (approximately 1 g/mL) should be used, suggesting this is a standard reference.
  • A new member shares their experience with a similar problem and mentions using a reference from a physics book to establish the mass of water based on volume, indicating a method of cross multiplication for conversions.
  • The original poster expresses uncertainty about the accuracy of their method due to potential heat loss in their setup, questioning the precision of their mass determination.
  • A later post introduces a different problem involving a stainless steel ball bearing and asks for help with calculating the final temperature, indicating a continuation of the discussion on related calorimetry concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the density of water being approximately 1 g/mL for conversion purposes. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the method for mass determination in the original problem, and the discussion about the new problem introduces additional complexity without consensus on the approach.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumption that the density of water is constant and applicable in all scenarios, as well as the potential for heat loss in non-calorimetric setups, which may affect the accuracy of results.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students working on calorimetry problems, particularly those needing clarification on unit conversions between volume and mass, as well as those seeking to understand the implications of heat loss in experimental setups.

Knight226
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Homework Statement


Is it possible to convert ml to grams for a Heat Capacity and Specific Heat type of problem? The problems that I have done so far did not use ml at all. I am stuck with the following problem:

A piece of stainless steel (specific heat = 0.50 J g-1 oC-1 ) is taken from an over at 178 oC and immersed in 225 ml of water at 25.9 oC. The water temperature rises to 42.4 oC. What is the mass of the piece of steel? How precise is this method of mass determination? Explain.

Homework Equations


q = m x SH x Delta T

The Attempt at a Solution


Step 1: Calculate q of water.
qwater = m * SH * Delta T
qwater = m * 4.18 * (42.4 - 25.9)

Problem: the m is not stated in the give. Water is given in ml. I tried to search and some people say 1 ml = 1 g. I don't know if that is correct. So I hesitated in continuing this problem until I find out the correct way in converting ml to g.

If I can get pass that step, then I will do qsteel.

My answer for the 2nd question is that it is not accurate since it is not a calorimeter and thus there will be heat loss?

Please help. Thank you very much in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


To convert a volume of water to the mass of water, you need to know the density of water. You can look it up in a book for verification, but the density of water is basically 1 g/mL.
 


Thank you! :D
 


Hello guys, am a new member here, and i'd love to share with you..
i've faced the same problem before, and I've tried to find any related formula, but
the only one i got is the one that is mentioned by Ygggdrasil..it's mentoined here in
Tippens Physics book that the mass of 100-mL of water is 100 gram, so am using
this to make a cross multiplication between two fractions whenever I've to convert
any other volume of water (i don't know if the expression is correct because my
english is not that good)...
Would you please guys tell me how can i post a questio...see if you can help me
with this:
a 30.14-g stainless steel ball bearing at 117.82 c is placed in a constant-pressure calorimeter containing 120.0 mL of water at 18.44 C.if the specific heat of the ball bearing is 0.474 J/g.c, calculate the final temperature of the water.assume the
calorimeter to have negligible heat capacity.
 

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