Math Problem Statement

A water heater is operated by solar power. If the solar collector has an area of 3.00 m2 and the intensity delivered by sunlight is 550 W/m2, how long does it take to increase the temperature of 1.00 m3 of water from 21.0°C to 61.0°C?

Solution

To find the time it takes to heat the water, we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Determine the Energy Needed to Heat the Water

The energy required to heat water is given by the formula: Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T where:

  • QQ is the heat energy (in joules),
  • mm is the mass of the water (in kilograms),
  • cc is the specific heat capacity of water (4186 J/kg°C4186 \ \text{J/kg} \cdot \text{°C}),
  • ΔT\Delta T is the change in temperature.
  1. Calculate the mass of water mm: The density of water is approximately 1000 kg/m31000 \ \text{kg/m}^3, so: m=density×volume=1000 kg/m3×1.00 m3=1000 kgm = \text{density} \times \text{volume} = 1000 \ \text{kg/m}^3 \times 1.00 \ \text{m}^3 = 1000 \ \text{kg}

  2. Calculate the temperature change ΔT\Delta T: ΔT=61.0C21.0C=40.0C\Delta T = 61.0^\circ \text{C} - 21.0^\circ \text{C} = 40.0^\circ \text{C}

  3. Calculate QQ: Q=mcΔT=1000 kg×4186 J/kg°C×40.0CQ = mc\Delta T = 1000 \ \text{kg} \times 4186 \ \text{J/kg} \cdot \text{°C} \times 40.0^\circ \text{C} Q=167440000 JQ = 167440000 \ \text{J}

Step 2: Calculate the Power Supplied by the Solar Collector

The power PP absorbed by the solar collector is given by: P=intensity×areaP = \text{intensity} \times \text{area} where:

  • Intensity = 550 W/m2550 \ \text{W/m}^2,
  • Area = 3.00 m23.00 \ \text{m}^2.

Thus: P=550 W/m2×3.00 m2=1650 WP = 550 \ \text{W/m}^2 \times 3.00 \ \text{m}^2 = 1650 \ \text{W}

Step 3: Calculate the Time Required

The time tt to heat the water is given by: t=QPt = \frac{Q}{P} Substitute Q=167440000 JQ = 167440000 \ \text{J} and P=1650 WP = 1650 \ \text{W}: t=167440000 J1650 Wt = \frac{167440000 \ \text{J}}{1650 \ \text{W}} t101478 secondst \approx 101478 \ \text{seconds}

Step 4: Convert Time to Hours

To convert seconds to hours: t=101478 s3600 s/h28.2 hourst = \frac{101478 \ \text{s}}{3600 \ \text{s/h}} \approx 28.2 \ \text{hours}

Final Answer

The time required to heat the water is approximately 28.2 hours.

Would you like a breakdown of each step or have any further questions?


Here are some related questions for practice:

  1. How would the required time change if the solar collector area were doubled?
  2. What would happen if the water volume were 2 m³ instead of 1 m³?
  3. How would the time be affected if the sunlight intensity increased to 700 W/m²?
  4. If the water started at 15°C instead of 21°C, how long would it take to reach 61°C?
  5. What would the energy requirement be if the target temperature was 80°C instead of 61°C?

Tip: Always check unit conversions carefully, especially when working with energy and time in physics problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Physics
Thermodynamics
Energy and Power

Formulas

Heat energy formula: Q = mcΔT
Power formula: P = intensity × area
Time formula: t = Q/P
Temperature change formula: ΔT = final temperature - initial temperature
Mass of water: m = density × volume

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12