Thermodynamics phase changes steam and water

In summary: I feel like I can solve this now!In summary, the final temperature for the 12.5g of steam at 100C will be 344 g of water at 22.2C.
  • #1
Megan20102011
5
0

Homework Statement



In each case, the following are mixed in a perfect calorimeter with no heat lost or gained from the system. Find the final temp in each case.

12.5 g of steam at 100C with 344 g of water at 22.2C.

Homework Equations



Q=Mc(Tfinal-Tinitial)
M is the mass in kg
C is the specific heat given by whatever substance we are dealing with
And the parantheses is the change in temperature

The Attempt at a Solution


So I didn't really know where to start with this problem I realize that one of the substances is going to undergo a phase change but am unsure how to find which one does it. If I could help with that I believe I could calculate the final temperature.
 
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  • #2
Megan20102011 said:

Homework Statement



In each case, the following are mixed in a perfect calorimeter with no heat lost or gained from the system. Find the final temp in each case.

12.5 g of steam at 100C with 344 g of water at 22.2C.

Homework Equations



Q=Mc(Tfinal-Tinitial)
M is the mass in kg
C is the specific heat given by whatever substance we are dealing with
And the parantheses is the change in temperature

The Attempt at a Solution


So I didn't really know where to start with this problem I realize that one of the substances is going to undergo a phase change but am unsure how to find which one does it. If I could help with that I believe I could calculate the final temperature.
Steam exists at 100o or higher.
Water exists at 100o or lower. [but not below 0o]

Given that one quantity starts at 100o and the other starts at 22.2o, it is reasonable to assume that the final temperature will be somewhere in between those two - so which one do you now think will change phase.
 
  • #3
The steam should become water since water boils at 100C. So it should just be common sense? Or is there a calculation I should be making?
 
  • #4
So since the steam is undergoing a phase change to become water. I'm not sure what to multiply the mass for since it isn't fusion or vaporization.
 
  • #5
Megan20102011 said:
So since the steam is undergoing a phase change to become water. I'm not sure what to multiply the mass for since it isn't fusion or vaporization.

Have you heard of melting and condensation?
 
  • #6
Yes my physics book doesn't give those values though so I hadn't even thought I could use those.
 
  • #7
Megan20102011 said:
Yes my physics book doesn't give those values though so I hadn't even thought I could use those.

Your book does give that - you just didn't recognise it.

The energy input need to vaporise some water equals the energy returned when that (now) vapour condenses.

Same thing with fusion and melting.
 
  • #8
So it's just the sign that changes
. Thanks very much
 

FAQ: Thermodynamics phase changes steam and water

What is the definition of thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with the relationship between heat, energy, and work.

What is a phase change?

A phase change is the physical transformation of a substance from one state to another, such as from a solid to a liquid or from a liquid to a gas.

How do phase changes relate to thermodynamics?

Phase changes are governed by the laws of thermodynamics, specifically the first and second laws, which describe the conservation of energy and the direction of energy flow.

What happens to the temperature during a phase change?

The temperature of a substance remains constant during a phase change, as the energy is used to break or form intermolecular bonds rather than increasing the temperature.

How does steam differ from water in terms of thermodynamics and phase changes?

Steam is the gaseous phase of water, and its properties are described by different thermodynamic equations than those used for liquid water. The phase change from water to steam requires significantly more energy, as it involves breaking all the intermolecular bonds in the liquid.

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