HELP Melting Iceberg: Latent heat of fusion

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the heat required to melt 15% of a 3.90×105 metric-ton iceberg using the latent heat of fusion. The correct conversion of the iceberg's mass is 3.90×109 kg, leading to a mass of 5.85×108 kg for the portion to be melted. The latent heat of fusion for water is confirmed as 334,000 J/kg. The final calculation yields a total energy requirement of 1.954×1013 J, correcting the initial miscalculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of latent heat of fusion
  • Basic knowledge of mass conversion (metric tons to kilograms)
  • Familiarity with energy calculations in joules
  • Proficiency in algebraic manipulation of equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of latent heat of fusion in detail
  • Learn about energy calculations in thermodynamics
  • Explore methods for melting icebergs and their environmental impacts
  • Investigate the historical context and energy comparisons with nuclear events
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, environmental scientists, and engineers involved in maritime safety and iceberg management.

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URGENT HELP! Melting Iceberg: Latent heat of fusion

Homework Statement


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 15 percent of a 3.90×10^5 metric-ton iceberg? One metric ton is equal to 10^3 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 6.0×10^13 J.)


Homework Equations



Q = mLf

The Attempt at a Solution


first I converted 3.90 x10^5 metric tons to 3.90 x 10^9 kg since one metric tons is equal to 10^3 kg. Then I multiplied the 3.90 x 10^9 kg times .15 to get 15% of the iceberg mass and got 5.85 x 10^8 kg. Lastly I multiplied 5.85 x 10^8 times the latent heat of fusion of water (334000 J/kg) and got 1.95 x 10^14 J but that's incorrect. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it right but I'm not getting the right answer can anyone help?
 
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3.90 x10^5 metric tons to 3.90 x 10^9 kg
should be 3.8 E8 kg, and .15 of that is 5.85 E7 kg

1 MT = 1000 kg.

the 334 kJ/kg is correct.

One should be getting 1.954 E13 J.
 
thanks a bunch!
 

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