First Law of Thermodynamics - Exercises

1. The hot coffee in a thermos has a temperature of 80°C. The surrounding temperature
is 20°C. What is the change in thermal energy of the coffee after 30 minutes?

Solution:

Q = m * c * ΔT

Q = 0.2 kg * 4184 J/kgK * (80°C - 20°C)

Q = 4184 * 60 J

2. A metal block with a mass of 10 kg and a temperature of 100°C is dropped into a lake
with a temperature of 10°C. What is the change in thermal energy of the block?

Solution:

Q = m * c * ΔT

Q = 10 kg * 385 J/kgK * (100°C - 10°C)

Q = 3,450 J

3. A 10 kg block of ice at 0°C is heated until it is completely melted and its temperature
rises to 20°C. How much thermal energy was added to the block of ice?

Solution:

Q = mLf + mcΔT

Q = 10 kg * 334,000 J/kg + 10 kg * 4184 J/kgK * (20°C - 0°C)

Q = 3,340,000 J + 83,680 J

Q = 3,423,680 J

4. A 5 kg metal block at 20°C is heated until its temperature reaches 80°C. How much
thermal energy was added to the block?

Solution:

Q = m * c * ΔT

Q = 5 kg * 385 J/kgK * (80°C - 20°C)

Q = 9,625 J

5. A 10 kg block of iron is heated from 20°C to 100°C. How much thermal energy was
added to the block?

Solution:

Q = m * c * ΔT

Q = 10 kg * 450 J/kgK * (100°C - 20°C)

Q = 18,000 J

1
 6. A 40 g ice cube at -10°C is added to a cup of coffee at 80°C. The final temperature of
the coffee and ice is 40°C. What is the change in thermal energy of the coffee and the
ice?

Solution:

Q = mLf + mCpΔT

Q = 40 g * 334,000 J/kg + (100 g - 40 g) * 4184 J/kgK * (40°C - 80°C)

Q = 13,360 J + (60 g) * 4184 J/kgK * (-40°C)

Q = 13,360 J - 50,304 J

Q = -36,944 J