Why Is My Calculation of Heat Energy Incorrect?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the heat energy required to raise the temperature of a glass beaker and water. The specific heat capacity of glass is given as 8.4 x 10^2 J kg^-1 K^-1, and the mass of the glass is 215g while the water is 145g at an initial temperature of 18.5 degrees Celsius. The correct calculation yields a heat energy requirement of approximately 6.29 x 10^4 J. Key errors identified include mixing units (grams versus kilograms) and potential rounding mistakes in intermediate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of specific heat capacity
  • Familiarity with the formula Q=mcΔT
  • Knowledge of unit conversions (grams to kilograms)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Review unit conversion techniques for mass in thermodynamic calculations
  • Practice problems using the specific heat capacity formula Q=mcΔT
  • Learn about common errors in thermal energy calculations
  • Explore rounding techniques and their impact on scientific calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, educators teaching heat energy concepts, and anyone involved in physics or chemistry problem-solving.

Noawun
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
A glass beaker of mass 215g contains 145g of water at 18.5 degrees Celsius. If the specific heat capacity of glass is 8.4 x 10^2 J kg^-1 K^-1, how much heat energy would need to be supplied to raise the temperature of the glass and water to 98.5 degrees Celsius?
Relevant Equations
Q=mc\Delta T
At first, I tried to calculate the heat energy required by doing this:
IMG_DB51C510AD86-1.jpeg

I realized I should calculate heat energy separately instead of grouping glass and water together so I did this:

IMG_729D7A630229-1.jpeg


But the answer is supposed to be 6.29 x 10^4.

I don't know how to solve this. Can anyone help please? Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Noawun said:
Homework Statement:: A glass beaker of mass 215g contains 145g of water at 18.5 degrees Celsius. If the specific heat capacity of glass is 8.4 x 10^2 J kg^-1 K^-1, how much heat energy would need to be supplied to raise the temperature of the glass and water to 98.5 degrees Celsius?
Relevant Equations:: Q=mc\Delta T

At first, I tried to calculate the heat energy required by doing this:
View attachment 295998
I realized I should calculate heat energy separately instead of grouping glass and water together so I did this:

View attachment 295999

But the answer is supposed to be 6.29 x 10^4.

I don't know how to solve this. Can anyone help please? Thank you
I get 63168, rounding to 63200. I suspect someone made the error of rounding intermediate values.
 
It also looks like he's mixed units (g vers kg) which gives the 10^3 difference in his answer? (I didn't check his work in detail, though)
 
berkeman said:
It also looks like he's mixed units (g vers kg) which gives the 10^3 difference in his answer? (I didn't check his work in detail, though)
Well spotted! Looking only at the last line, I misread the handwritten exponent 7, with its continental centre line and the graph paper line at the left, as a four.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
792
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K