Thermodynamics: Dropping a hot horseshoe into a pot of water

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving a hot iron horseshoe being dropped into a pot of water, focusing on heat transfer and thermal equilibrium. Participants are analyzing the heat gained by the pot and water as they cool the horseshoe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations for heat transfer, specifically using the formula Q = mc(change in temp). There are attempts to verify the heat gained by the pot and water, with some questioning the rounding of significant figures in the final answer.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants confirming calculations and addressing concerns about the accuracy of significant figures. There is no explicit consensus on the final answer, as some participants are still clarifying their understanding of rounding rules.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the pot and water were initially in thermal equilibrium before the horseshoe was introduced. There is a focus on ensuring calculations adhere to significant figure rules.

Jess_18033152
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Homework Statement


A freshly-forged iron horseshoe, with a mass of 0.549 kg is dropped into a 0.281 kg iron pot which contains 1.60 kg of water at 21.4 oC.
After the horseshoe, pot and water reach thermal equilibrium they have a temperature of 29.8 oC.

Assuming the pot and the water were in thermal equilibrium before the horseshoe entered the water, calculate the combined amount of heat gained by the pot and water as they cool the horseshoe.

From previous question:
Initial temp of horseshoe = 261.499575 degrees C
Q (water) = 56179.2 J
Q (pot) = 1062.18 J

Homework Equations


Q= mc (change in temp)

The Attempt at a Solution


Q (horseshoe) = 0.549 x 450 x (261.499575-29.8)
= 57241.38 J

Q (water) = 56179.2 J
Q (pot) = 1062.18 J
Q (pot & water) = 56179.2 + 1062.18
= 57241.38 J

Am I heading in the right direction to calculate the combined amount of heat gained by the pot and water as they cool the horseshoe?
 
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Worked out that the answer for this question is just = 57241.38 J rounded to 3 significant figures. :)
 
Jess_18033152 said:
Worked out that the answer for this question is just = 57241.38 J rounded to 3 significant figures. :)
Do you really feel that that is rounded to 3 significant figures?
 
Sorry, that my answer from that I rounded to 3 sf so that wasn't my final answer as it is not 3 sf
 

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