How much new entropy have you created by mixing the water

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the change in entropy resulting from mixing two bodies of water at different temperatures: 50 liters of hot water at 55 degrees Celsius and 25 liters of cold water at 10 degrees Celsius. The original poster seeks to understand the new entropy created by this mixing process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the total entropy by considering the individual entropy changes of each water system, but encounters a negative result, leading to confusion about the nature of entropy. Some participants question the formulas used for the calculations and the assumptions regarding the specific heat capacity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants examining the calculations and questioning the application of the formulas. There is a focus on verifying the temperature calculations and the appropriateness of the equations used, but no consensus has been reached regarding the interpretation of the negative entropy result.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of the negative entropy value, which raises questions about the assumptions made in the calculations. The original poster has expressed uncertainty about the expected behavior of entropy in this scenario.

mikee
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Homework Statement

In order to take a warm bath, you mix 50 liters of hot water at 55 degrees Celsius with 25 liters of cold water at 10 degrees Celsius, How much new entropy have you created by mixing the water



Homework Equations

S = Integral(Ti to Tf) (Cv / T) dT



The Attempt at a Solution

Ok i am doing the question, let's call the 50 liters system A and 25 liters system B, so i calculated the entropy of each respective system and then getting the total entropy by Stot = Sa + Sb, and I am getting a negative answer and i do not understand this at at all because i thought entropy always increased. Anyways I am pretty sure I am doing the calculations correct but i will show what i did nonetheless.


50(55) + 25(10) = 50(Tf) + 25(Tf) where Tf was found to be 33.3 degrees celsuis.

Cv for system A is 50*1000*4.186 therefore Sa = Cv * ln((273+33.3)/(273+55)) = -1.432*10^4

Cv for system B is 25*1000*4.186 therefore Sb = Cv * ln((273 + 33)/(273+10)) = 8.27*10^3 and when you add them you get a negative entropy ?
 
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mikee said:
Sa = Cv * ln((273+33.3)/(273+55)) = -1.432*10^4

Sb = Cv * ln((273 + 33)/(273+10)) = 8.27*10^3
Why are you using those formulas?
 


Because S = Integral(Ti to Tf) (Cv / T) dT, and Cv is not dependent on temperature for the problem so integral 1/T T = Ln(Tf/Ti).. and then i just plugged in the values.
 


Ah, yes... something looked wrong about it but I think I was just mixing it up with another equation.
mikee said:
50(55) + 25(10) = 50(Tf) + 25(Tf) where Tf was found to be 33.3 degrees celsuis.
Check that calculation again.
 

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