Change in internal energy when water is heated from 0 to 4c

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The discussion focuses on calculating the change in internal energy of 2 kg of water heated from 0°C to 4°C, using the specific heat capacity of water and its densities at those temperatures. The main equation used is ΔU = Q - W, where Q is the heat added and W is the work done. Participants debate the significance of a small correction of 0.02 J in the context of the imprecision of the specific heat capacity value. It is argued that since internal energy depends only on the state, the path taken between states is irrelevant, and the change in enthalpy can be derived without directly applying the first law of thermodynamics. The conclusion emphasizes that the correction is insignificant given the uncertainties in the specific heat capacity.
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Homework Statement

: [/B]Find the change in internal energy of 2kg water as it is heated from 0°C to 4°C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200J/Kg and its densities at 0°C and 4°C are 999.9 kg/m3 and 1000kg/m3 respectively.
Atm pressure=105Pa

Homework Equations

:ΔU= Q-W
W=PΔV
M/V=D[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution

:[/B]
ΔW = PΔV
P=105Pa

ΔV= M(1/D2-1/D1)
Plugging the values we get W=-0.02(Volume is decreasing...so definitel W should be negative)
Q=m.s.ΔT
= (2)(4200)(4)=33600
So
ΔU= 33600- (-0.02)
= 33600 + 0.02 J
But the answer is given
33600- 0.02
 
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Your answer of (33600 + 0.02) J looks correct to me.
 
TSny said:
Your answer of (33600 + 0.02) J looks correct to me.
then it must be a printing error...right?
 
Since you are only given the heat capacity to 2 sig figs, correcting the answer by 0.02 seems pointless. But perhaps it's worth demonstrating that it's insignificant?
 
mjc123 said:
Since you are only given the heat capacity to 2 sig figs, correcting the answer by 0.02 seems pointless. But perhaps it's worth demonstrating that it's insignificant?
I'm sorry I didnt get you.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, 4200 means "between 4150 and 4250". Which means Q is between 33200 and 34000 J. With this imprecision, it is meaningless to talk of a correction of 0.02 J.
 
mjc123 said:
Unless otherwise indicated, 4200 means "between 4150 and 4250". Which means Q is between 33200 and 34000 J. With this imprecision, it is meaningless to talk of a correction of 0.02 J.
oh..ok..I thought you were giving a hint on how to approach the sum
 
My take on this problem is different. If the initial state is 2 kg water at 0 C and 1 atm, and the final state is 2 kg of water of 4 C and 1 atm, then the path between these two states is irrelevant (since U is a function only of state). Assuming that the specific heat capacity given in the problem statement is ##C_p##, the change in enthalpy between the two states is given by:$$\Delta H=mC_p\Delta T$$The change in internal energy between the two states follows from the definition of the change in enthalpy: $$\Delta H=\Delta U+\Delta (PV)=\Delta U+P_{atm}\Delta V$$So, combining these equations, we get $$\Delta U=mC_p\Delta T -P_{atm}\Delta V$$My point is, there is no need to directly apply the first law of thermodynamics to solve this problem.
 

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