Calculating Energy Requirements for Phase Changes in Water

In summary, the task is to determine the amount of energy needed to change a 40g ice cube from -10 degrees C to 110 degrees C as steam. This can be broken down into 5 steps, including 2 for latent heat and 3 for specific heat capacity, using data such as specific heat capacity of ice, water, and steam, and latent heat of fusion and evaporation.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


how much energy is required to change a 40g ice cube from ice at -10degrees C to steam at 110degrees C.


Homework Equations


Q=mL
Q=mcT

The Attempt at a Solution


My failed attempt was this,
0.04*120*333000(333000 is the latent fusion heat for water)
i don't know if there is any other way i can do this, any help would be appreciated
 
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  • #2
You need to break the problem down into a number of steps; some (2) will be latent heat (ice to water, and water to steam) and some (3) will be specific heat capacity (change in temperature of ice, water and steam)
You will need the following data
Specific heat capacity of ice, water and steam
Latent heat of fusion of ice
Latent heat of evaporation of water
There are 5 steps. 5 amounts of heat to add together.
 

FAQ: Calculating Energy Requirements for Phase Changes in Water

What is latent heat in thermodynamics?

Latent heat is the amount of energy that is required to change the phase of a substance without changing its temperature. It is a type of heat transfer that occurs during a phase change, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas.

How is latent heat different from sensible heat?

Sensible heat is the heat that causes a change in temperature of a substance without a change in phase. In contrast, latent heat causes a change in phase without a change in temperature. Sensible heat can be measured with a thermometer, while latent heat cannot be directly measured.

What is the formula for calculating latent heat?

The formula for latent heat is Q = mL, where Q is the amount of heat transferred, m is the mass of the substance, and L is the latent heat of the substance. The unit for latent heat is typically given in Joules per gram (J/g) or calories per gram (cal/g).

How does latent heat affect the Earth's climate?

Latent heat plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate through the water cycle. When water evaporates from the surface of the Earth, it absorbs latent heat from the environment. This heat is then released when the water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, helping to regulate the Earth's temperature and shape weather patterns.

Can latent heat be used as a source of energy?

Yes, latent heat can be harnessed as a form of energy through various technologies such as geothermal power plants and phase change materials. These methods utilize the heat absorbed or released during phase changes to generate electricity or to store and release thermal energy for heating and cooling purposes.

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