Is it more energy efficient to evaporate water or boil it?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy efficiency of evaporating water compared to boiling it, specifically in the context of drying wet clothes versus boiling water in a pot. The original poster presents equations related to energy calculations for both processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compare the energy required for boiling water versus evaporating it, citing equations for both processes. Some participants question the interpretation of latent heat and its implications for energy efficiency.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the original poster's findings and the book's claims. There is a request for clarification regarding the book's statements, indicating a search for understanding rather than a resolution.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions that the book is in another language, which may affect the clarity of the information being discussed. The book states that drying clothes can occur at low temperatures but requires additional energy, which is under scrutiny.

Drizzy
Messages
210
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


If I have a pot of water that I want to bowl so that there won't be any water left then the energy that I have to add is:

E=c*m*delta T
E=l(vaporization) * m

But if I have wet clothes and want the water to evaporate then the energy needed is:

E=l(vaporization)m

So from the equations it would take ess energy to evaporate water than to boil it and then make it into a gas. But my book is saying that it takes more energy to evaporate water right away

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
"L," latent heat, is larger for the lower temperature.
 
Word-for-word, what exactly does your book say?

Chet
 
the book is in another language so I have to translate it.

"The clothes will dry even if it is near 0 degrees celsius, it just requires a little more energy.
 
Drizzy said:
the book is in another language so I have to translate it.

"The clothes will dry even if it is near 0 degrees celsius, it just requires a little more energy.
See Bystander's answer in post #2.
 

Similar threads

Replies
23
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K