What is the final temperature for combining aluminum container and water?

In summary, the problem is asking for the final temperature of a system consisting of an aluminum container, water, and a shot of aluminum. The solution involves using the specific heat formula to calculate the energy gained and lost by each component, and setting them equal to each other since energy is conserved. The final temperature is found by solving for T in the equation.
  • #1
XenoPhex
3
0
This is a really simple problem, but I just can't remember how to combine the container and the water.

Homework Statement


An aluminum container weighing 200g contains 500g of water at 20*c. A 300g shot of the same aluminum at 100*c is put into the water. The specific heat for the aluminum is 0.215cal/(g*c). What is the final temperature for the entire system?


Homework Equations


dQ = c*m*dT


The Attempt at a Solution


(T - 20*c) x [(500g x 1cal/(g*c)) + (200 x 0.215cal/(g*c))] = (T - 100*c) x 300g x 0.215cal/(g*c)

T = 9.1216*c

However this answer seems really off.
 
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  • #2
Energy is conserved so, energy gained by:
Econtainer = mct = 200 * 0.215 *(T-20)
Ewater = mct = 500 * 1* (T-20)
Equals energy lost by:
Eshot = mct = 300 * 0.215* (100-T)

(Final temperature T)
 
  • #3
Wait, so would you just make Eshot = Ewater and then solve for T and then Eshot = Ewater and solve for a different T?
 
  • #4
You assume everything comes to the same final temperature. Eshot = Ewater+Econtainer
Watch the signs, energy is lost by the shot and gained by the container and water.
 

Related to What is the final temperature for combining aluminum container and water?

What is specific heat and how does it relate to aluminum?

Specific heat is a physical property that measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount. In the case of aluminum, it refers to the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of aluminum by one degree Celsius.

What is the specific heat of aluminum?

The specific heat of aluminum is 0.903 joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g·°C).

Why is aluminum often used in cooking and other heat-related applications?

Aluminum has a relatively high specific heat compared to other metals, meaning it can absorb and retain heat well. This makes it a popular choice for cooking utensils, as it can evenly distribute heat and cook food more efficiently.

Does the specific heat of aluminum change at different temperatures?

Yes, the specific heat of aluminum can vary slightly at different temperatures. However, for most practical applications, it is considered constant and does not significantly affect its performance.

How does the specific heat of aluminum compare to other materials?

Aluminum has a lower specific heat compared to some other metals, such as copper and gold. However, it has a higher specific heat than materials like glass and plastic.

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