What is the equilibrium temperature of a system containing ice and steam?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the equilibrium temperature of a system containing ice and steam. Initial calculations for the heat gained by ice and heat lost by steam reveal discrepancies, primarily due to incorrect sign usage in the heat flow equation. Participants clarify that the heat gained by ice/water should equal the heat lost by steam/water, emphasizing that heat lost by steam should be treated as negative. Adjustments to the equations are suggested to ensure proper sign conventions, leading to a more accurate calculation of the final temperature. The conversation highlights the importance of careful attention to signs in thermodynamic equations.
jennypear
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
An insulated bucket contains 150 g of ice at 0°C. If 26.0g of steam is injected at 100°C into the bucket, what is the final equilibrium temperature of the system in °C?

this i what I've done so far
q(ice)=150g*333.5J/g=50025J
q(steam)=26g*2257J/g=58682J

q(ice) + q(ice-water) = -[q(steam) + q(steam-water)]

50025J + 4.18J/g*150g(Tf-273)=-[58682J + 4.18J/g*26g(Tf-373)]
20025J + 327J*Tf - 171171J = -58682J -108J*Tf + 40538J
-121146J + 627J*Tf = -18145 - 108J*Tf
735J*Tf=103002
Tf=140degree K

this is obviously wrong...what am i missing?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You are adding an extra minus sign. Think of it this way:
Heat gained by ice/water = Heat lost by steam/water
 
Doc Al said:
You are adding an extra minus sign. Think of it this way:
Heat gained by ice/water = Heat lost by steam/water

so you are saying
q(ice) + q(ice-water) = q(steam) + q(steam-water)

50025J + 4.18J/g*150g(Tf-273)=58682J + 4.18J/g*26g(Tf-373)
121146J + 627J*Tf = 58682J + 108J*Tf - 40538J
519J*Tf=139290J
Tf=268degree K

which is still wrong...
did i understand you correctly?
 
jennypear said:
50025J + 4.18J/g*150g(Tf-273)=58682J + 4.18J/g*26g(Tf-373)
Note that since Tf will be between 273 and 373 K, Tf-373 is negative.

I always think in terms of heat lost versus heat gained; these quantities are always positive.
 
jennypear said:
q(ice) + q(ice-water) = -[q(steam) + q(steam-water)]

50025J + 4.18J/g*150g(Tf-273)=-[58682J + 4.18J/g*26g(Tf-373)]
If you prefer to use this form of the heat flow equation, which is perfectly OK, then be sure to use the correct signs for all quantities. Note that q(steam) should be negative since heat is flowing out of the steam.
 
hmm tricky:) thanks so much will look at it that way in the future
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top