Q&A for How to Calculate Heat Capacity

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  • Question
    How big should a water heater tank be to efficiently service a 12-unit condominium with two-bedroom units?
    Community Answer
    As far as the efficiency goes, the difference in efficiency is not that much between sizes. However, for a two-bedroom unit, you will want a minimum volume of 20 liters in your tank.
  • Question
    How do I convert watts into J/KgK?
    Community Answer
    Watts and J/KgK measure different things and cannot be "converted" to one another. J/KgK is the heat capacity, which is a property intrinsic to a particular material, while Watt is a unit of power.
  • Question
    Why would we calculate heat capacity of material?
    Octavian Octa
    Community Answer
    It would help you if you wanted to use one of the materials as a radiator, or if you wanted to calculate the temperature of an assembly in different conditions. These are just two examples, but there can be a lot of others.
  • Question
    How much heat is needed to take ice of mass 720 g at -10 degrees Celsius to liquid state at 15 degrees Celsius?
    Community Answer
    Use Q = mc* (change in temp) for the liquid state; c = specific heat capacity- 4.2 J/g, m = mass of ice, and Q is the heat required. For the solid state, use same equation, with different specific heat capacity, use that of ice. For the heat required to melt it, use Q = mLf, where Q is heat, m is mass, and Lf is the latent heat of fusion of ice. Add those three values together for the final answer.
  • Question
    Can you calculate heat supplied without knowing the mass of the substance?
    Community Answer
    Not unless you know the heat capacity of the object and the rise in temperature. Heat supplied = heat capacity/rise in temperature. Heat capacity is = mass of the object or sample • (times) specific heat • rise in temperature. The energy will be in units of joules or calories or BTU.
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