Thermal Expansion of ethanol problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the thermal expansion of ethanol when poured into a glass graduated cylinder at different temperatures. Participants are focused on determining the volume loss due to thermal expansion, using the equation V_loss=V_fe-V_fg, but some express confusion about the calculations and the final temperature. The final temperature is calculated to be -0.89°C, and the total overflow is determined to be 0.765 cm^3. There is a consensus that the calculations are correct, but clarity in the methodology is needed for better understanding. Accurate representation of temperature changes is emphasized for clearer communication of the calculations.
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Homework Statement


1. You pour 108 cm3 of ethanol, at a temperature of - 10.0 C, into a graduated cylinder initially at 20.0 C, filling it to the very top. The cylinder is made of glass with a specific heat of 840 J/kgK and a coefficient of volume expansion of 1.2 × 10-5 K-1; its mass is 0.110 kg. The mass of the ethanol is 0.0873 kg. The specific heat capacity of ethanol is 2428 J/kgK and the coefficient of volume expansion of ethanol is 75 × 10-5 K-1.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


V_loss=V_fe-V_fg
=7.677*〖10〗^(-7) m^3
=7.7cm^3
This seems like a very small loss, does anyone know if it correct or not?
 
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What is the question? What equations did you use and what numbers did you put in them?

V_loss=V_fe-V_fg is not a very informative equation. How did you calculate the numbers that went in it?
 
yeah i know what you mean.
I just calculated the change in volume for glass (contracted) and then the change in volume for ethanol. From there i found the final volume (once in equilibrium). all using deltaV/V=beta*deltaT... the equation " V_loss=V_fe-V_fg" i figured out since the etanol was overflowing by the amount it was bigger than the volume of the glass??
 
You still don' show how you calculated the changes of each volume. What did you use for the final temperature of each mass and how did you find that? If you don't show us exactly what you did, we will not be able to figure out where you went wrong.
 
Final temp being -0.89 deg C

Total overflow = 108 x 75 x 10^-5 x (-10+0.89) + 108 x 1.2 x 10^-5 x (20 +0.89)
= 0.765 cm^2
 
The calculation is correct, however you should stick to convention and write

ΔT = Tfinal - Tinitial.

It is easier to see that way how ecah volume changes.
 
Ya Ezamoo i had the same thing 7.677*〖10〗^(-7) m^3 i had that as 7cm^3 my bad...
 
how do you find out the final temperature?
 
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