A backpacker wants to carry enough fuel to heat 2.3kg of water from 25 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius. If the fuel he carries produces 36kJ of heat per gram when it burns, how much fuel should he carry? (For the sake of simplicity, assume that the transfer of heat is 100% efficient.)
The amount of fuel he should carry is 8,280 kJ.
To calculate this, we need to calculate the amount of energy required to heat the water. This can be done using the equation Q = mcΔT, where Q is the energy required, m is the mass of the water, c is the specific heat capacity of water, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
Q = 2.3kg x 4.18kJ/kg·K x (100°C - 25°C)
Q = 8,280 kJ
Therefore, the backpacker should carry 8,280 kJ of fuel.