Jason03 said:the problem I am working on asks to find how long it would take to heat 52 pounds of water in a hot water heater if 4800 watts is being used and the temperature needs to be raised from 60 F to 120 F...
My work is below...
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/jason03_2009/hw1.jpg
Jason03 said:the problem I am working on asks to find how long it would take to heat 52 pounds of water in a hot water heater if 4800 watts is being used and the temperature needs to be raised from 60 F to 120 F...
My work is below...
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/jason03_2009/hw1.jpg
The formula for calculating time to heat 52 gallons of water is:
Time = (52 gallons * Specific Heat Capacity * Temperature Difference) / Heat Input
The specific heat capacity of water is 4.186 joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C).
The temperature difference for calculating time to heat 52 gallons of water is the difference between the starting temperature of the water and the desired ending temperature. For example, if the starting temperature is 20°C and the desired ending temperature is 60°C, the temperature difference would be 40°C.
The heat input needed to heat 52 gallons of water depends on the heat source being used. Different heat sources have different heat outputs, so the amount of heat input needed will vary. It is important to know the heat input of the specific heat source being used in order to accurately calculate the time to heat 52 gallons of water.
Yes, this formula can be used to calculate the time to heat any amount of water as long as the specific heat capacity and heat input are known. Just substitute the desired amount of water in gallons for the 52 gallons in the formula and the result will be the approximate time it will take to heat that amount of water.