Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are observing a thermodynamic system—perhaps a specialized engine or a sealed gas chamber. Energy is constantly flowing in and out of this system.
We are told that an electric appliance is pumping heat into the system at a rate of 6000 J/min. Simultaneously, the system isn't just sitting idle; it is actively doing work on its surroundings, delivering a power of 90 W. Our goal is to find out exactly how long it will take for the system's internal energy to build up and increase by 2.5×103 J.
The Master Equation
To connect heat, work, and internal energy, we rely on the bedrock of thermodynamics: The First Law of Thermodynamics.
Mathematically, it is expressed as:
ΔQ=ΔU+ΔW
However, the data provided in the problem isn't in total amounts of energy, but rather in
rates (energy per unit time). To adapt our master equation, we simply divide every term by the time interval
Δt:
ΔtΔQ=ΔtΔU+ΔtΔW
This modified equation tells us that the rate at which heat enters the system equals the rate at which internal energy increases, plus the rate at which the system does work (which is the definition of power).
Unit Conversion
The Silent Trap
Before we rush to substitute numbers, we must ensure all units are consistent. The standard SI unit for power and energy rates is the Watt (W), which is equivalent to Joules per second (J/s).
The power delivered is already in standard units:
P=ΔtΔW=90 W=90 J/s
But the heat supply rate is given in Joules per minute. We must convert this:
ΔtΔQ=6000 J/min=606000 J/s=100 J/s
Final Calculation
Now, we are ready to substitute our pristine, unit-matched values into the rate equation. We know the target change in internal energy is ΔU=2.5×103 J.
Subtracting
90 from both sides gives us the net rate at which energy is being stored inside the system:
10=Δt2.5×103
Finally, isolating
Δt:
Δt=102.5×103
Δt=2.5×102 s
It will take exactly 250 seconds for the internal energy to reach the desired level. This perfectly matches option (a).