Photoelectric effect and Aluminum

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving a 0.4 kg sample of aluminum at 115 degrees Celsius placed in 0.5 kg of water at 15 degrees Celsius. Participants are tasked with comparing the heat liberated by the aluminum to the heat absorbed by the water, with initial answers suggesting the heat absorbed by the water is greater, smaller, or the same. The conversation highlights confusion regarding the relevance of the photoelectric effect to the problem, as it appears to focus solely on thermodynamic principles. Key concepts discussed include the definition of heat as energy or thermal energy measured in Joules and the conservation of energy principle. Ultimately, the problem serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of thermodynamics and energy transfer concepts.
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A 0.4 kilogram sample of Aluminum at 115 degrees Celsius is put into a container containing 0.5 kilograms of water at 15 degrees Celsius. Neglecting the small amount of energy absorbed by the container and knowing that the specific heat of Aluminum is 900 kJ/kg*C, and the specific heat of the water is 4186 kJ/kg*C answer the following question.

Compared to the heat liberated by the aluminum, the heat absorbed by the water is

greater. wrong

smaller.

the same.

is it smaller or the same?
why?
 
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what are the units of heat? what then is heat?
 
heat is...energy, thermal energy, or a change in temperature, measured in Joules
 
and what things have you learned about energy?
 
It is exactly the same with the following example. You pour a cup of water into a bucket. Then asked: compare the mass gained by the bucket and the mass lost by the cup. The answer now so simple.
 
It's the same since they already told you to ignore the heat absorbed by the container.
 
Hmmm... why is this a question about the photoelectric effect? It seems to be just a thermodynamics question, perhaps there's a trick somewhere?
 
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