How much energy transferred when we burn a piece of wood ?

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SUMMARY

When burning 1 kg of wood in a perfectly insulated 1 cubic meter box, the total energy released is approximately 3,890 Kcal. However, due to the limited oxygen supply in a closed environment, combustion will cease before all energy is transferred to the surrounding air. The key concept to determine the resulting temperature rise of the air is "heat capacity," which quantifies how much energy is required to raise the temperature of a substance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of "heat capacity" and its implications in thermodynamics.
  • Basic knowledge of combustion processes and oxygen consumption.
  • Familiarity with energy units, specifically Kcal.
  • Concept of closed systems in thermodynamic contexts.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "heat capacity" and its calculation methods.
  • Explore the principles of combustion in closed systems.
  • Study the relationship between energy transfer and temperature change in gases.
  • Investigate the effects of oxygen depletion on combustion efficiency.
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Students and professionals in physics, environmental science, and engineering, particularly those interested in thermodynamics and energy transfer processes.

RAJEEV THORAT
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Hi All,
If we burn a piece of wood having mass 1 Kg, in a closed surrounding (Box),
If box is 1 cubic meter in size and box is perfectly heat insulated .
Will all energy of wood , say 3,890 K cal/Kg , get transferred to air surrounding it ?
How much temperature rise of the air will occur?

Thanks in advance.
 
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If the box is closed then some of the wood will burn, but very quickly all of the Oxygen will be used up and it will cease burning.
 
RAJEEV THORAT said:
How much temperature rise of the air will occur?

Look up "heat capacity". That is the key concept you need to answer this question.
 

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