Moderate

Some water at 0°C is placed in a large insulated enclosure (vessel). The water vapour formed is pumped out continuously. What fraction of the water will ultimately freeze, if the latent heat vaporization is seven times the latent heat of fusion?

Correct answer: A. 7/8

  • A. 7/8
  • B. 8/7
  • C. 3/8
  • D. 5/8

Explanation

In an insulated system, the energy lost by the water that freezes must equal the energy required to vaporize the remaining water. Let m be the mass of the water and f the fraction that freezes. The heat lost by the frozen part is mfL2 and the heat gained by the vaporized part is m(1-f)L1. Given that L1 = 7L2, we have mfL2 = m(1-f)7L2. Solving for f gives f = 7/8. Therefore, 7/8 of the water freezes. The other options do not satisfy this energy balance.

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About Thermal Equilibrium and Heat

Thermal equilibrium means that bodies in contact have the same temperature and no net heat flows between them. The topic distinguishes heat from temperature, uses the zeroth law of thermodynamics, and covers heat transfer, specific heat capacity, thermal expansion and the conditions for reaching equilibrium.

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