What is the final temperature when mixing heated and cool water?

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    Calorimetry
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the final temperature when mixing heated and cool water, specifically when 4 liters of water at 90°C is mixed with 16 liters of water at 10°C. Participants explore the principles of calorimetry and energy transfer in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the energy required to heat 4 liters of water to 90°C and suggests a final temperature of 30°C, expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their approach.
  • Another participant corrects the total volume of water to 20 liters, implying a need for recalculation.
  • A different participant proposes a heat balance equation, indicating that the heat lost by the hot water equals the heat gained by the cool water, leading to a variable representing the final temperature.
  • Another participant presents a detailed calorimetry equation and calculates a final temperature of 26°C, suggesting a method for solving the problem.
  • One participant offers an alternative approach, calculating the temperature change based on the total heat added and the total volume of water, arriving at the same final temperature of 26°C.
  • A participant acknowledges a previous error regarding the total volume and expresses gratitude for the corrections, indicating a refinement of their understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the final temperature, as participants propose different methods and arrive at varying results, with some suggesting 26°C and others initially suggesting 30°C. The discussion reflects multiple competing views and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on different assumptions and methods for calculating heat transfer, which may lead to discrepancies in their results. The discussion does not resolve these differences.

chem_tr
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I haven't found my textbooks on physical chemistry, so I want to ask the forum members.

When we heat 4 liters of water from 10°C to 90°C, and add this to 16 liters of water at 10°C, what will the final temperature be?

My brainstorming revealed the following, but I'm not sure if they are correct or not (my physical chemistry really sucks):

If we heat 4 liters of water to 90°C, we must give an energy which equals Q=m \times c \times \Delta t=4000 \times 1 \times (90-10)=320000~cal. This amount of energy is dissipated in the whole pool of water, so 320000=16000 \times 1 \times (t_{final}-10)=>t_{final} is found to be 30°C

I am almost sure it is wrong, so could anybody please show me the very logic of this type of calorimetric problem?

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
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You have a total of 20 liters, not 16. That help?
 
When we heat 4 liters of water from 10°C to 90°C, and add this to 16 liters of water at 10°C, what will the final temperature be?

mc(x-90)=m_2c(x-10)

-x represents the equilibrium temperature

-heat lost by the 90 degree water is gained by 10 degree water

I'm pretty sure this is correct
 
Let me try:

(\mbox{heat lost})=-(\mbox{heat gained})
(mc\Delta t)_{1}=-(mc\Delta t)_{2}
(4\mbox{kg})(4.19\mbox{kJ/kg}\cdot^{\circ}\mbox{C})({t_{f}-90^{\circ}°\mbox{C})=-(16\mbox{kg})(4.19\mbox{kJ/(kg}\cdot^{\circ}\mbox{C})({t_{f}-10^{\circ}\mbox{C})

Solving for t_{f} gives 26°C.
 
I will try it slightly other way - let's assume 10 deg C is a 'basic' state. Your heating adds 4*1000*80 calories. Now you use that heat in the 20000 ml of water. So your delta T is 4*1000*80/20000 = 16 which gives final temperature of 26 and is exactly the same result Sirus posted.


Chemical calculators for labs and education
BATE - pH calculations, titration curves, hydrolisis
 
Oookay, so I have made the error of not considering the total volume as Bystander suggested; my logic doesn't seem so wrong. Thank you all!
 

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