Latent Heat Problem? Not sure how to solve

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the minimum heat required to melt a layer of ice on a car window, given specific parameters such as the thickness of the ice, its temperature, and relevant physical properties like density and specific heat capacity. The subject area includes thermodynamics and heat transfer concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for calculating the mass of ice, questioning whether to use volume in cm³ or convert measurements to meters first. There is confusion regarding the correct mass calculation based on the given dimensions and density.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on calculating the volume and mass of the ice, suggesting a specific method for conversion. There is acknowledgment of the original poster's calculations, with indications that the estimated mass may be low, which could affect the final heat calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of specific heat and latent heat values provided in the problem statement, and there is an emphasis on ensuring correct unit conversions throughout the calculations.

PBryan833
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A window of a car is found to be covered with 0.8cm of ice. If the area of the window is 1 m2, and the ice is at -12 degrees Celsius, what is the minimum heat required to melt all the ice? Take the density of ice to be 900 kg/m3, the specific heat capacity of ice to be 0.5 cal/g*K, and the latent heat of fusion to be 80 cal/g. Answer in kcal.[/B]

Homework Equations



deltaQ=mcdeltaT
Latent Heat= deltaQ= Lm[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


So first off, I am confused in terms of finding out the mass to use. I wasnt sure if it is .512 g by multiplying .8x.8.x8 for cm3, or if you are supposed to make 0.8cm into meters then get the volume of that and multiply it by 900kg/m3 and then make kg into grams. If it is the second method, then the mass would be .46 grams?

So then what i tried doing is add Q1 and Q2 to each other. Q1 for me was (0.512)(.5 cal/g K)(12) and then Q2 i have as (80 cal/g)(.512) Then i added these together to get 44.032 calories which would be 0.044032 kcal. This answer does not seem right however and I feel like it is too low. What am I doing wrong? Thank You So much
 
Physics news on Phys.org
First of all, please correctly compute the volume of the ice in cm3. I remind you that you have a surface of 1 m2 with a thickness of 0,8 cm. Once you have the volume, convert it to mass in grams by multiplying it by the density of the ice.

And once you have correctly calculated the mass, you can proceed with the heat that must be supplied...
 
So first off, I am confused in terms of finding out the mass to use. I wasnt sure if it is .512 g by multiplying .8x.8.x8 for cm3, or if you are supposed to make 0.8cm into meters then get the volume of that and multiply it by 900kg/m3 and then make kg into grams. If it is the second method, then the mass would be .46 grams?
Method 2 is the correct approach, but your answer is wrong. Please show us your work.
So then what i tried doing is add Q1 and Q2 to each other. Q1 for me was (0.512)(.5 cal/g K)(12) and then Q2 i have as (80 cal/g)(.512) Then i added these together to get 44.032 calories which would be 0.044032 kcal. This answer does not seem right however and I feel like it is too low. What am I doing wrong? Thank You So much
Your approach here is correct, but, because your estimate of the mass is say low, so is this answer.

Chet
 
thank you both for the help!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K