Which Pool Had More Heat Transferred: A or B?

In summary, pool A, which contains twice as much water as pool B, had more heat transferred to it due to its larger mass and heat capacity per unit mass, despite having a slightly smaller temperature change compared to pool B. This is because the heat transferred is proportional to the mass of the water, heat capacity, and temperature change. Therefore, pool A is the correct answer for the multiple choice question.
  • #1
IUBritt09
3
0

Homework Statement



Swimming pool A contains twice as much water as swimming pool B. The water in each pool started at air temperature. Which pool had more heat transferred to it?

Currently: Swimming pool A is at 29 degrees celsius
Swimming pool B is at 30 degrees celsius
Air temperature is 20 degrees celsius


Homework Equations



Q is proportional to A

The Attempt at a Solution



If Q is proportional to A, then A should have had more heat transferred to it since it has a larger cross-sectional area. (My homework is multiple choice, a, b, or both. You are penalized for guessing so I just want to make sure that my thinking is correct before I select an answer. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The heat transferred is proportional to the mass of the water times the heat capacity times the change in temperature. What does that tell you? Cross-sectional area has nothing to do with this.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Since pool A is twice as large as pool B, its mass is larger, and pool A's heat capacity is also larger because the value of heat capacity is proportional to the amount of material in the object, and it's change in temperature is only a degree less than that of pool B. Therefore, A had more heat transfer.
 
  • #4
No, I'm talking about heat capacity per unit mass. If the mass of A is m then the mass of B is m/2. So if heat capacity is can you write expressions for the heat transfer for A and B? Can you show one is larger than the other? If the temperature change for A vs B had been different, then the answer might be different.
 

Related to Which Pool Had More Heat Transferred: A or B?

1. What is the purpose of determining which pool had more heat transferred?

The purpose of this experiment is to compare the amount of heat transferred between two different pools and determine which pool has a higher rate of heat transfer. This information can help in understanding the efficiency of each pool's design and potentially improve upon it.

2. How was the heat transfer measured in each pool?

The heat transfer was measured using a thermometer. The starting temperature of each pool was recorded, and then the temperature was measured again after a set amount of time to calculate the change in temperature and thus the amount of heat transferred.

3. What factors could affect the amount of heat transferred in each pool?

There are several factors that could affect the amount of heat transferred in each pool, such as the size and shape of the pool, the material it is made of, the temperature of the surrounding environment, and any external sources of heat or cooling.

4. Can the results of this experiment be applied to other pools or only the specific ones used?

The results of this experiment can be applied to other pools as long as the conditions are similar. However, it is important to note that different pools may have different designs and materials, which can affect the rate of heat transfer.

5. How can this information be useful in real-world applications?

Understanding the rate of heat transfer in pools can be useful in designing more efficient and cost-effective pool systems. It can also help in determining the best materials to use for pool construction and can inform maintenance practices to improve energy efficiency.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
478
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
839
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • Thermodynamics
Replies
28
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
843
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top