Question

In an experiment, 17g of ice is used to bring down the temperature of 40 g of water at 34℃ to its freezing temperature. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J g^-1K^-1. Calculate the specific latent heat of ice. State one important assumption made in the above calculation.

Answer 1

Mass of ice m₁ = 17 g

Mass of water m₂ = 40 g.

Change in temperature = 34 – 0 = 34 K

Specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 Jg^-1K^-1

Assuming there is no loss of heat, heat energy gained by ice (latent heat of ice), Q = heat energy released by water

Q = 40 × 34 × 4.2

= 5712 J

Specific latent heat of ice = `"L" = "Q"/"m"`

= `5712/17`

= 336 J g^-1