the specific heat capacity of lava is 1600 j kg -1 oC -1. when all the erupted lava cools from the eruption temperture of 1050 oC to 15 oC, the heat released is 15
2x10 j.
calculate a value for the total mass of lava that erupted. give your answer in scientific notation.
The temperature change is
delta T = 1050 - 15 = 1035 C.
Q = M C * (delta T)
You know that the specific heat C is
C = 1600 J/kg C
Q is the heat release, which I believe you have written incorrectly. "15 2 x 10j" does not make sense. Perhaps you mean 15 x 10^2 Joules, but that is not a lot of heat. Anyway, solve the equation above for the mass, M.
To find the mass of the lava, we can rearrange the equation:
Q = M * C * ΔT
Given:
Q = 15 x 10^2 J
C = 1600 J/kg°C
ΔT = 1035°C
Substituting these values into the equation:
15 x 10^2 = M * 1600 * 1035
Simplifying:
1500 = M * 1664000
Dividing both sides by 1664000:
M ≈ 1500 / 1664000
M ≈ 0.0009 kg
Therefore, the total mass of lava that erupted is approximately 0.0009 kg, or 9 x 10^-4 kg (scientific notation).