H2O (the tv show), boiling water

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the energy required for Rikki, a character from the TV show H2O: Just Add Water, to boil away 19,000 gallons of water at 27 degrees Celsius. To determine this energy, one must calculate the heat needed to raise the water temperature to 100 degrees Celsius and then the energy required for evaporation. The comparison is made to the energy yield of atomic bombs, specifically noting that each bomb has an average energy output of 73.5 TJ. This establishes a context for understanding the magnitude of energy involved in both scenarios.

PREREQUISITES
  • Thermodynamics principles, specifically heat transfer and phase changes.
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacity of water.
  • Understanding of energy calculations in joules and terajoules.
  • Basic familiarity with the concept of latent heat of vaporization.
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the specific heat capacity of water and its implications for heating.
  • Research the latent heat of vaporization for water at 100 degrees Celsius.
  • Explore energy comparisons between chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.
  • Investigate real-world applications of energy calculations in environmental science.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or environmental science, educators teaching thermodynamics, and fans of H2O: Just Add Water interested in the scientific principles behind the show's fictional elements.

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Homework Statement


On the tv show H2O: Just Add Water, Rikki is a mermaid who has the power to boil water. In the second episode, she boils away all the water in a swimming pool in a matter of seconds. If the average pool contains about 19,000 gallons of water, at roughly 27 degrees Celsius, how much energy did she put out to boil that water away?

If the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan each had an average of 73.5 TJ, how does this compare?

Homework Equations



?

The Attempt at a Solution


This wasn't really homework, I was just watching the show and became curious. But, it sounds like a homework-like question, so I put it here. Any suggestions?
 
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This is a simple heat balance, you must calculate how much energy is needed first to heat up the water to 100 deg C, then to evaporate it.
 

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