Simple thermodynamics to be verified

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  • Thread starter lidstrompl
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lidstrompl
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Hi everybody. I need to calculate the energy required to melt 1mm^3 of carbon steel which is initially at 20 degrees C. Knowing the melting temp (1535 C) and the specific heat per unit volume (C_v), can I calculate my energy (Q) as follows?:

Q=C_v*(1535-23) = my answer

Or is it wrong??

Regards, and thanks for help.
 
Your answer is wrong. Not only must you heat the solid metal to that temperature, but you must add additional energy, the latent heat of fusion, to convert it from solid to liquid yet with no further rise in temperature.
 
NascentOxygen said:
Your answer is wrong. Not only must you heat the solid metal to that temperature, but you must add additional energy, the latent heat of fusion, to convert it from solid to liquid yet with no further rise in temperature.

Thanks very much. That's what I thought I was missing, but I wasn't sure.

Regards