Hydrothermal vents deep on the ocean floor spout water at temperatures as high as 570°C. This temperature is below the boiling point of water because of the immense pressure at that depth. Because the surrounding ocean temperature is at 4.0°C, an organism could use the temperature gradient as a source of energy. (a) Assuming the specific heat of water under these conditions is 1.0 cal/g . °C, how much energy is released when 1.0 L of water is cooled from 570°C to 4.0°C? (b) What is the maximum usable energy an organism can extract from this energy source? (Assume the organism has some internal type of heat engine acting between the two temperature extremes.) (c) Water from these vents contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at a concentration of 0.90 mmole/L. Oxidation of 1.0 mole of H2S produces 310 kJ of energy. How much energy is available through H2S oxidation of 1.0 L of water?
Latent heat and phase change
A physical process in which a conversion among the basic states or phases of matter, i.e., solid, liquid, and gas takes place under the effect of a certain temperature and pressure is referred to as a phase change. Generally, the phase change of a substance occurs when heat transfer takes place between the substance and its surroundings. Based on the direction in which heat transfer takes place, different types of phase changes can occur.
Triple Point of Water
The branch of physics in which observer deals with temperature related properties is called thermodynamics.
Boiling Point of Water
Everyday examples of boiling is, boiling milk, heating water. One would have observed that when we heat water it goes through various stages and at one point bubbles show in water, and water keeps splashing with bubbles bursting, we in layman terms say that water is boiling.
Freezing Point of Water
In general, the freezing point of water is 0° Celsius, or 32° Fahrenheit. This is the temperature at which water will ordinarily change from its liquid state to its solid state (ice). However, there are certain conditions that can affect the freezing point of water. For example, a liquid may be supercooled or contain impurities so that it does not freeze at the ordinary freezing point.
Hydrothermal vents deep on the ocean floor spout water at temperatures as high as 570°C. This temperature is below the boiling point of water because of the immense pressure at that depth. Because the surrounding ocean temperature is at 4.0°C, an organism could use the temperature gradient as a source of energy. (a) Assuming the specific heat of water under these conditions is 1.0 cal/g . °C, how much energy is released when 1.0 L of water is cooled from 570°C to 4.0°C? (b) What is the maximum usable energy an organism can extract from this energy source? (Assume the organism has some internal type of
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