SigFig said:
Homework Statement
If 10-kg of ice at 0 degrees Celsius is added to 2-kg of steam at 100 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the resulting mixture is? Use Joules. ANSWER: 40
Homework Equations
Specific Heats:
Ice = 2060
Steam = 2020
Latent Heats:
Water melting = 3.33x10^5
Water boiling = 2.26x10^6
Don't forget your units.
The Attempt at a Solution
Q1=mL
Q1=10(3.34x10^5)
Q1=3.34x10^6
Q2=(2)(2.26x10^6)
Q2=4.52x10^6
Q2-Q1=1.18x10^6
This is correct so far,

except for the lack of units.
Q=MCΔT
1.18x10^6 = (2+10)(4180)(T-0)
Your approach *would* be correct, *if* the entire 12 kg of [liquid] water started from 0 deg C, and increased its temperature from there. But that's not the case for this problem.
Here, there is only 10 kg of [liquid] water, starting at 0
o C, rising to temperature
T, absorbing energy as it goes.
There is also 2 kg of [liquid] water, starting at 100
o C, falling to temperature
T (making a temperature change of 100 -
T),
releasing energy as it goes.
You'll need to re-set up your equation to account for both of these things.
JesseC said:
I'm confused by the question. Steam is a suspension of water droplets in air, basically a cloud. Presumably you mean water vapour not steam?
That's really a matter of semantics. But commonly, water in gaseous form is called steam. (In which case -- you are correct insofar that -- H
2O is transparent when in truly gaseous form.)