Heat required to melt an iceberg

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the heat required to melt a portion of an iceberg, specifically 12 percent of a 1.30×105 metric-ton iceberg, while considering the phase change from ice to water at 0°C.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the equation for heat transfer involving temperature change, but some participants question the appropriateness of this approach for a phase change scenario.

Discussion Status

Participants have pointed out that the original equation used by the poster is not suitable for melting ice, emphasizing the need for the latent heat of fusion instead. There is acknowledgment of the misunderstanding, and alternative equations have been suggested.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the specific heat of fusion for water and its relevance to the problem, indicating a need for clarity on phase changes versus temperature changes.

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Homework Statement



I think I'm doing this problem correctly... I'm not sure about my change in temperature value. Any suggestions?



Icebergs in the North Atlantic present hazards to shipping, causing the length of shipping routes to increase by about 30 percent during the iceberg season. Attempts to destroy icebergs include planting explosives, bombing, torpedoing, shelling, ramming, and painting with lampblack. Suppose that direct melting of the iceberg, by placing heat sources in the ice, is tried. How much heat is required to melt 12 percent of a 1.30×105 metric-ton iceberg? One metric ton is equal to 103 kg. Assume that the iceberg is at 0°C. (Note: To appreciate the magnitude of this energy, compare your answer to the Hiroshima atomic bomb which had an energy equivalent to about 15,000 tons of TNT, representing an energy of about 6.0×1013 J.)

Homework Equations



Q = c*m*change in temperature

The Attempt at a Solution




Miceberg = 1.30E8 kg
12% of iceberg = 1.56E7 kg
C ice = 2.00E3

Q = 2.00E3 * 1.30E8 * 1

Q = 3.12 E 5 J
 
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Ah... thank you
 
Youre using the wrong equation. Like has been stated, its a phase change and the formula would be [tex]Q = m L_{f}[/tex] where [tex]L_{f}[/tex] is the latent heat of fusion for water. IIRC its around 80 kcal/kg for water.
 
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