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Calculate The Work Done When 50.0 G of Tin

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

When 50.0 grams of tin melts or solidifies, the work done can be calculated using the latent heat of fusion formula. This calculation is important in thermodynamics and materials science.

How to Calculate the Work Done

The work done when a substance changes phase (melting or solidifying) is equal to the product of the mass of the substance, its latent heat of fusion, and the change in temperature. For tin, the latent heat of fusion is approximately 59.2 kJ/kg.

Key Concepts

  • Latent heat of fusion (L): The amount of energy required to change 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid at constant temperature (59.2 kJ/kg for tin).
  • Mass (m): The amount of substance in grams (50.0 g in this case).
  • Work done (W): The energy required to melt or solidify the substance.

To calculate the work done:

  1. Convert the mass from grams to kilograms (1 kg = 1000 g).
  2. Multiply the mass in kilograms by the latent heat of fusion.
  3. The result is the work done in kilojoules.

Formula Used

W = m × L

Where:

  • W = Work done (kJ)
  • m = Mass of tin (kg)
  • L = Latent heat of fusion for tin (59.2 kJ/kg)

This formula assumes the process occurs at constant temperature and pressure.

Worked Example

Let's calculate the work done when 50.0 g of tin melts:

  1. Convert 50.0 g to kg: 50.0 g ÷ 1000 = 0.0500 kg
  2. Multiply by latent heat: 0.0500 kg × 59.2 kJ/kg = 2.96 kJ

The work done to melt 50.0 g of tin is 2.96 kilojoules.

Note: This calculation assumes ideal conditions. Real-world factors like impurities or pressure changes may affect the result.

FAQ

What is latent heat of fusion?
Latent heat of fusion is the energy required to change a substance from solid to liquid at constant temperature. For tin, it's approximately 59.2 kJ/kg.
Why is the mass converted to kilograms?
The latent heat is typically measured in kJ/kg, so converting grams to kilograms ensures the units are compatible for multiplication.
Can this formula be used for solidifying tin?
Yes, the same formula applies to solidifying tin because the latent heat of fusion is the same whether the substance is melting or solidifying.