How much energy is in a nut? Burn it and find out. The | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Conceptual Physics

Chapter 15 Problem 31TAD

Question

How much energy is in a nut? Burn it and find out. The heat from the flame is energy released when carbon and hydrogen in the nut combine with oxygen in the air (oxidation reactions) to produce \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\). Pierce a nut (pecan or walnut halves work best) with a bent paper clip that holds the nut above the table surface. Above this, secure a can of water so that you can measure its temperature change when the nut burns. Use about \(10^{3} \mathrm{~cm}\) (10 mL) of water and a Celsius thermometer. As soon as you ignite the nut with a match, place the can of water above it and record the increase in water temperature once the flame burns out. The number of calories released by the burning nut can be calculated by the formula \(Q=c m \Delta T\), where c is its specific heat \(\left(1 \mathrm{cal} / \mathrm{g} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\), m is the mass of water, and \(\Delta T\) is the change in temperature. The energy in food is expressed in terms of the Calorie, which is 1000 of the calories you’ll measure. So to find the number of Calories, divide your result by 1000. (See Think and Solve #36.)

Solution

Step 1 of 3)

The first step in solving 15 problem number trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: How much energy is in a nut? Burn it and find out. The heat from the flame is energy released when carbon and hydrogen in the nut combine with oxygen in the air (oxidation reactions) to produce \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\). Pierce a nut (pecan or walnut halves work best) with a bent paper clip that holds the nut above the table surface. Above this, secure a can of water so that you can measure its temperature change when the nut burns. Use about \(10^{3} \mathrm{~cm}\) (10 mL) of water and a Celsius thermometer. As soon as you ignite the nut with a match, place the can of water above it and record the increase in water temperature once the flame burns out. The number of calories released by the burning nut can be calculated by the formula \(Q=c m \Delta T\), where c is its specific heat \(\left(1 \mathrm{cal} / \mathrm{g} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\), m is the mass of water, and \(\Delta T\) is the change in temperature. The energy in food is expressed in terms of the Calorie, which is 1000 of the calories you’ll measure. So to find the number of Calories, divide your result by 1000. (See Think and Solve #36.)
From the textbook chapter Energy you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

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full solution

Title Conceptual Physics 12 
Author Paul G. Hewitt
ISBN 9780321909107

How much energy is in a nut? Burn it and find out. The

Chapter 15 textbook questions

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