How much heat must be added to 0.55 kg of aluminum to change it from a solid at 180°C to a liquid at 660°C (its melting point)? The latent heat of fusion for aluminum is 4.0x10^5 J/kg.

Question

I understand the Equation Q=mc times change it T
would that be .55 times 4.0 x 10^5 times (660-180) or im i mising something please help im still haveing some trouble with this problem

Answer 1

FIRST you must heat the Al from 180 to 660
for that you need the heat capacity of Al, call it Cal, which is in your book.
Q1 = .55 * Cal * (660-180)
THEN you melt it
Q2 = .55 * 4*10^5
period, no temp in that eqn it happens at melting point

Then add Q1+Q2