How Much Air Can Be Heated with the Same Energy Used to Warm Water in a Kettle?

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster explores the energy transfer involved in heating air using the same energy that warms water in a kettle. The problem involves thermodynamic principles and calculations related to heat capacity and mass of air at specific conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of heat transfer and the mass of air that can be heated with the same energy as water. There are questions about the correctness of the formulas used and the assumptions made regarding heat capacities and units.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints regarding the assumptions made in the calculations, particularly concerning the constant volume condition. There is an ongoing examination of the formulas and unit conversions, with no clear consensus yet on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that air is composed entirely of nitrogen and are addressing potential errors in unit conversions and heat capacity values. The problem is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment.

Firben
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You warm 1.00 kg of water at a constant volume of 1.00 L from 20.0 degrees C to 30.0 degrees C in a kettle. For the same amount of heat, how many kilo grams of 20.0 degree C air would you be able to warm to 30.0 degree C? What volume would this air occupy at 20.0 degrees C and a pressure of 1.00 atm? Make the simplifying assumption that air is 100% N2.

Homework Equations



m = 2CvQ/(3RΔTcv)

ρ=m/v

dQ = mcdT

The Attempt at a Solution



Q = (1.00kg)(4190 J/mol*K)(303K-293K) = 41900 J

c(air) = 1.01 * 10^3 J/kg*K
V= 1.00 L
ρ(air) =1.2929 kg/m^-3
m(air) = ρ(air)*V <=>
m(air) = (1.2929 kg/m^-3)(1.00 L) = 1.2929 kg
C(air) = (1.01*10^3 J/kg*K)(1.2929 kg) = 1305.829 J/mol*K

R = 8.314 J/mol*K
cv = 4190 J/mol*K

the answer should be 5.65 kg
 
Last edited:
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Hint: you ignored V=const part.
 
Is this formula right m = 2CvQ/(3RΔTcv) ?
 
Argh, what was I thinking. You used wrong heat capacity value, but not because of the constant volume, you just have your units wrong. Sigh.

Firben said:
Is this formula right m = 2CvQ/(3RΔTcv) ?

Check your units. Is the result in kg?
 

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