Physics class help
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Physics class help
OK, I'm having some problems in my physics class so maybe somebody can help me.
I have to measure temperature of hot water (between 50 C and 100 C). However, only thing I have is thermostat which can measure up to 50 C. And it can't be used in hot water because it would get damaged.
Anyone have idea how to solve this problem?
I have to measure temperature of hot water (between 50 C and 100 C). However, only thing I have is thermostat which can measure up to 50 C. And it can't be used in hot water because it would get damaged.
Anyone have idea how to solve this problem?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Unlike bigrigfixer, I'm going to recommend you beg, borrow, buy, or steal (please don't steal) a thermometer (and return the thermostat to whatever device it was controlling) from someone. There's no other way to accurately gather temperature data.
Lead Driver
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From: Calgary Canada
Have you thought about diluting the hot water with a known amount of colder water? Say you have 100 ml of 100 Degree water, and you add 100 ml of 10 degree water . . .wait, you are talking degrees F, right? So let's say 40 degree water. You know how much energy it takes to raise one ml (ounce?) of water by one degree. You can just do an energy balance on it.
Sorry for the mixed units, I'm used to doing my physics in SI units.
Make sense?
Guys, I think the whole point of this homework question is that he's not allowed to use another thermometer.
Sorry for the mixed units, I'm used to doing my physics in SI units.
Make sense?
Guys, I think the whole point of this homework question is that he's not allowed to use another thermometer.
Last edited by seventyseven250; Oct 16, 2006 at 05:44 PM.
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Originally Posted by seventyseven250
Say you have 100 ml of 100 Degree water, and you add 100 ml of 10 degree water .
Post Fiend
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I'm going to assume that in this case, since this is not a real problem, the thermostat that registers up to 50C is literally the only one in existence for you. 
So you have absolute *no* other tools at your disposal? Vacuum pump? Stopwatch? How about a pot of cold water?
You could mix equal amounts of the hot water with cold water (that you know the temp of) and measure the resulting mixture - the original temp would be easy to figure out from there.
So you have absolute *no* other tools at your disposal? Vacuum pump? Stopwatch? How about a pot of cold water?
You could mix equal amounts of the hot water with cold water (that you know the temp of) and measure the resulting mixture - the original temp would be easy to figure out from there.
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Originally Posted by andym
I'm going to assume that in this case, since this is not a real problem, the thermostat that registers up to 50C is literally the only one in existence for you.
So you have absolute *no* other tools at your disposal? Vacuum pump? Stopwatch? How about a pot of cold water?
You could mix equal amounts of the hot water with cold water (that you know the temp of) and measure the resulting mixture - the original temp would be easy to figure out from there.
So you have absolute *no* other tools at your disposal? Vacuum pump? Stopwatch? How about a pot of cold water?
You could mix equal amounts of the hot water with cold water (that you know the temp of) and measure the resulting mixture - the original temp would be easy to figure out from there.
And PLEASE explain part in bold.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
OK, I think AndyM and I are on the same wavelength.
Do this:
- Get some cold water and measure its temperature. Meauser its volume as well.
- Measure the volume of warm water (of unknown temperature).
- Mix the two (in an insulated container so no heat is lost)
- Measure the resulting temperature. Since you know the volumes of both, plus the temp of one, plus I'm assuming you know the spcific heat of water in liquid form, you only have on unknown in the equation.
This assumes that the resulting temp will be within the range that your thermometer can measure.
Sound good?
Do this:
- Get some cold water and measure its temperature. Meauser its volume as well.
- Measure the volume of warm water (of unknown temperature).
- Mix the two (in an insulated container so no heat is lost)
- Measure the resulting temperature. Since you know the volumes of both, plus the temp of one, plus I'm assuming you know the spcific heat of water in liquid form, you only have on unknown in the equation.
This assumes that the resulting temp will be within the range that your thermometer can measure.
Sound good?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I feel like I'm on a Macguyer episode...
I think it's as simple as measuring out a known quantity of hot water, allowing it to cool to room temperature, taking the temp, and then mixing in as much hot water as you can to get the temp as close to 50C as you can.
You would probably have to make several runs at it, to narrow the temp down. If you put 1ml of hot water in 100ml of cold water and measure the mixture, it's not going to be very accurate, because the temperature of the container will impact the results. You want to use as much hot water as possible and as little cold water to minimize that effect.
I think it's as simple as measuring out a known quantity of hot water, allowing it to cool to room temperature, taking the temp, and then mixing in as much hot water as you can to get the temp as close to 50C as you can.
You would probably have to make several runs at it, to narrow the temp down. If you put 1ml of hot water in 100ml of cold water and measure the mixture, it's not going to be very accurate, because the temperature of the container will impact the results. You want to use as much hot water as possible and as little cold water to minimize that effect.