Removing heat energy from a block of ice

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy required to cool a block of ice from 0°C to -31.0°C, involving concepts of heat transfer and specific heat capacity. The original poster provides a calculation based on the dimensions and density of the ice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of heat energy removed, questioning the correctness of the original poster's approach and the implications of sign conventions in the context of a homework submission.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants clarifying the need for understanding sign conventions in heat transfer calculations. There is acknowledgment of the numerical result provided, but no consensus on its correctness in the context of the homework system.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding how heat energy is represented in terms of positive and negative values, especially in relation to the requirements of a computerized homework system.

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Homework Statement



How much energy must be removed from a 4.50 cm x 4.30cm x 6.20cm block of ice to cool it from 0C to -31.0C?

The density of ice is 920 kg/m^3. You might need to refer to the textbook for other physical constants of ice.

Homework Equations



Q = Mc(T_f-T_i)

heat energy = mass*heat capacity * change in temp

M = Density*volume

The Attempt at a Solution



Q = Mc(T_f-T_i) = DVc(T_f-T_i)

Q = (920)(.045*.042*.062)(2180)(-31-0)= -7285.5 joules
 
Last edited:
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Is there a question you wish to ask?
 
Are you saying that this is right?
 
I am asking you if you wish to ask a question because your original posting does not include one. If you do, please ask and I (we) will do my (our) best to answer it.
 
Don't you need to know how much heat you need to pull out of it? Doesn't the method I have listed do that? It finds the heat energy removed doesn't it?
 
Yes, yes and yes. However, if this is an answer that you need to put in a computerized homework system, you need to understand the sign conventions.

If the question asks to find "the heat that goes in" and the number is negative, that means that heat actually goes out. In this case, the question is to find the heat that goes out, therefore a positive number is in order.
 
So its just 7285.5 joules then?
 
That would appear to be the case, but I am not the program that makes the decision whether you are right or wrong.
 

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