A copper block of mass 2.5 kg is heated in a furnace to a temperature of 500 °C and then placed on a large ice block. What is the maximum amount of ice that can melt? (Specific heat of copper = 0.39 J g–1 K–1; heat of fusion of water = 335 J g–1).
Solution and Explanation
Mass of the copper block, m = 2.5 kg = 2500 g
Rise in the temperature of the copper block, Δθ = 500°C
Specific heat of copper, C = 0.39 J g–1 °C–1
Heat of fusion of water, L = 335 J g–1
The maximum heat the copper block can lose, Q = mCΔθ
= 2500 × 0.39 × 500
= 487500 J
Let m1 g be the amount of ice that melts when the copper block is placed on the ice block.
The heat gained by the melted ice, Q = m1L
∴ m1 = \(\frac{Q}{L}\) = \(\frac{487500}{335}\) = 1455.22 g
Hence, the maximum amount of ice that can melt is 1.45 kg.
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Concepts Used:
Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat of a solid or liquid is the amount of heat that raises the temperature of a unit mass of the solid through 1°C.
Molar Specific Heat:
The Molar specific heat of a solid or liquid of a material is the heat that you provide to raise the temperature of one mole of solid or liquid through 1K or 1°C.
Specific Heat at Constant Pressure or Volume:
The volume of solid remains constant when heated through a small range of temperature. This is known as specific heat at a constant volume. It is denoted as CV.
The pressure of solid remains constant when heated through a small range of temperature. This is known as specific heat at constant pressure which can be denoted as CP.