How Much Ice Melts from a Sliding Block's Kinetic Energy?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 2.5 kg block of ice sliding on a level floor at an initial speed of 5.7 m/s, with a focus on determining how much ice melts when the block's kinetic energy is converted into internal energy. The context is rooted in energy conversion principles within thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of kinetic energy using the formula KE = 0.5mv² and explore the conversion of this energy into heat to determine the mass of ice melted. Some participants express uncertainty about their initial steps and calculations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations involved in determining the amount of ice melted. Some participants have provided numerical results based on their calculations, while others have expressed uncertainty about the correctness of their findings. The discussion reflects a mix of attempts and confirmations without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that all kinetic energy is converted to heat energy for melting ice, and they are referencing the energy required to melt a specific mass of ice. There is a noted lack of consensus on the accuracy of the calculations presented.

chops369
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Homework Statement


A 2.5 kg block of ice at a temperature of zero degrees celsius and an initial speed of 5.7 m/s slides across a level floor. If 3.3 x 105 J are required to melt 1 kg of ice, how much ice melts, assuming that the initial kinetic energy of the ice block is entirely converted to the ice's internal energy?


Homework Equations


I think I need to use PE + KE + U = 0


The Attempt at a Solution


I have no idea where to even begin :(
 
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chops369 said:

Homework Statement


A 2.5 kg block of ice at a temperature of zero degrees celsius and an initial speed of 5.7 m/s slides across a level floor. If 3.3 x 105 J are required to melt 1 kg of ice, how much ice melts, assuming that the initial kinetic energy of the ice block is entirely converted to the ice's internal energy?


Homework Equations


I think I need to use PE + KE + U = 0


The Attempt at a Solution


I have no idea where to even begin :(

Well the formula for kinetic energy of a body is KE = .5mv2. So how much kinetic energy do we have in the block at the start? If you assume all of that gets transferred into heat energy how much ice did it melt?
 
Ok, so I used KE = .5mv2 and found that the ice has an initial KE of 41 J. Then I did 41 / 3.3 x 105 and I concluded that .0000124 kg of ice melted. Is this correct?
 
chops369 said:
Ok, so I used KE = .5mv2 and found that the ice has an initial KE of 41 J. Then I did 41 / 3.3 x 105 and I concluded that .0000124 kg of ice melted. Is this correct?

Sounds correct to me.
 
Great, thanks a lot.
 

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