An automobile cooling system holds 16 L of water.How much heat does it absorb if its temperature rises from 17 ∘C to 89 ∘C? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Question

An automobile cooling system holds 16 LL of water.How much heat does it absorb if its temperature rises from 17 ∘C∘C to 89 ∘C∘C?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Answer 1

Use the heat transfer equation to find the heat absorbed:

Q = m × c × (T_f -T_i)

Here:

m = 16 L * 1.0 kg/L = 16 kg; the mass of the water heated, using its density 1.0 kg/L

c = 4186 J/(kg ^oC); specific heat of water

T_i = 17 ^oC; initial temperature of the water

T_f = 89 ^oC; final temperature of the water

Plugging in these values:

Q = 4.8 × 10⁶ J , using 2 significant digits