Specific Heat and Maybe Latent Heat also

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving aluminum and water, focusing on specific heat and potential latent heat during a phase change. The aluminum, initially at -135°C, is placed in water at 25°C, and the calculations aim to determine the final temperature after heat exchange. Participants debate whether to include latent heat in their equations, particularly if the water freezes, and how to set up the heat transfer equations correctly. The calculations indicate that the heat absorbed by the aluminum exceeds that lost by the water, suggesting that all the water will turn into ice. The importance of correctly managing signs in the equations is emphasized to avoid confusion in the heat transfer calculations.
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Homework Statement


Several small piece of aluminum, having total (combined) mass of 2.5 kg are placed in liquid nitrogen and, when removed, are at a temperature of -135C. The aluminum is transferred to an insulating container with 0.50 kg of water. The water is at 25.0C [ Ignore heat lost from the system]

C Al = 910 J/kg K
C water = 4190 J/kg K ; Lf = 334000 J/kg ; Freezing pt = 0C
C ice = 2100 J/ kg K

Homework Equations



Q = mc(change)T
Lf = mLf
Conservation of Energy ( because system is isolated )
Qcold = -Qhot


The Attempt at a Solution



Before I attempted to do this problem, I wasnt sure if there would be a latent phase change for the water to ice because if there was then I would include that eq. Lf = mLf into my solution.

Gained Energy = Aluminum from water
Lose Energy = Water from Aluminum

(2.5 kg)(910 J/kg K)(T - (-135C)) = - (0.5 kg)(4190 J/kg K)( T - 25C)

2275(T + 135C) + 2095 (T - 25C) = 0 ?

I am unsure if that's what your suppose to do and is it suppose to be +135C?
 
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You have to include Lf. So heat lost part include, heat lost by water from 25 degree to zero degree + heat lost by ice from zero degree to T degree.
 
(2.5 kg)(910 J/kg K)(T - (-135C)) = - (0.5 kg)(4190 J/kg K)( 0 - 25C) +(x)(334000 J/kg) + (2100 J/ kg K)( T - 0C)

Is this what your talking about? Because then there's 2 variables X because you don't know the amount of water that changes into ice...?
 
To check whether the water completely convert in ice or not, calculate amount of heat absorbed by aluminum to reach 0 degree, and amount of heat lost by the water to convert water from 25 degree C to 0 degree C ice. If first one is greater than the second,water is completely converted into ice. Other wise a part of water is converted into ice.
 
that is necessary to find the temperature final? And if its partially converted doing what you said will give a ratio of how much ice is in the water?
 
Yes.
 
okay so the following i did:

Qal = (2.5kg)(910 J/kg K) (135C) = 307125 J
Qw = (0.5kg)(4190 J/kg K) (25C) = 52375 J

Therefore the amount of heat for water is less than Aluminum so all of the water turns into ice?

then i can just do :

(2.5 kg)(910 J/kg K)(T - (-135C)) = - (0.5 kg)(4190 J/kg K)( 0 - 25C) +(0.5 kg)(334000 J/kg) + (2100 J/ kg K)( T - 0C)

and solve for T?
 
Before that check the signs and parenthesis.
 
damn i can't get it to work out like i am really bad with the algebra lol anyone help me simplify this please?
 
  • #10
(2.5 kg)(910 J/kg K)(T - (-135C)) = - (0.5 kg)(4190 J/kg K)( T - 25C) +(0.5 kg)(334000 J/kg) + (2100 J/ kg K)( T - 0C)

i believe all the numbers are correct however I am always confused because of the positives and negatives... and the left side is gaining heat and the right side is losing heat. So the left side has a Negative to begin with. Also the Aluminum is at -135 does that cancel out the - from Tf-Ti?
 
  • #11
To avoid confusion in signs, if heat is gained use Tf - Ti. If heat is lost, use Ti - Tf.
Then use heat gained = heat lost.
 
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