Struggling with a past paper question. DONT WANT ANSWERS JUST A NUDGE

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter buzz_benj
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Paper
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving heat transfer between a copper container, water, and an iron ball. Participants explore the concepts of energy conservation and specific heat capacities while attempting to estimate the final temperature of the system.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the problem and expresses confusion about the calculations involving three materials: water, container, and ball.
  • Another participant suggests writing an equation for the heat energy gained or lost by each object, emphasizing the need to solve for the final temperature.
  • A participant questions whether the assumption of energy conservation in the system is correct.
  • Another participant reiterates that the problem states no heat transfer occurs with the surroundings, implying energy conservation is a given.
  • The original poster later claims to have resolved their confusion regarding the rearrangement of the equation and proposes a final temperature of 20.71°C.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial confusion regarding the problem, but there is agreement on the importance of energy conservation in the context of the problem. The final temperature proposed by the original poster is not confirmed by others.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the system's behavior and the specific heat capacities are not explicitly stated in the problem, which may affect the calculations. The discussion does not resolve the correctness of the final temperature proposed.

buzz_benj
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
this is the question; it's just blown me a bit as there 3 materials involve the water, container and ball :s

I don't expect answers, nor do i want them, I', just stuck and need a push to gte my head round it, what I've tried so far gave me a final temp of 20.00008 degrees c, guessing that's wrong

A copper container, of mass 0.6 kg, holds 1.5 kg of water at 20°C. An iron ball, of mass 100g and at a temperature of 120°C, is dropped into the water. Assuming no heat transfer to or from the surroundings, estimate the final temperature of the water.
Use the specific heats (kJ/kg K): copper: 0.387, water: 4.2, iron: 0.448
 
Science news on Phys.org
Write an equation for the heat energy gained or lost by each object in terms of the knowns and unknowns. For example you know the initial temperature of the iron ball but not the final temperature. Solve.

There is a reasonable assumption you will have to make that isn't stated in the problem.
 
is it, that the energy in the system remains constant?
 
buzz_benj said:
is it, that the energy in the system remains constant?

That's already stated in the problemwhen it says..

Assuming no heat transfer to or from the surroundings
 
worked it out, I am a moron and buggered up the rearranging of the equation to make the final temp the subject, i think the answer is 20.71
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
10K
Replies
2
Views
2K