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Ch.6 - Thermochemistry
Chapter 6, Problem 39a

Identify each energy exchange as primarily heat or work and determine whether the sign of ΔE is positive or negative for the system. a. Sweat evaporates from skin, cooling the skin. (The evaporating sweat is the system.)

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Energy Exchange

Energy exchange in thermodynamics refers to the transfer of energy between a system and its surroundings. This can occur in the form of heat, which is energy transferred due to temperature differences, or work, which is energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance. Understanding how energy is exchanged is crucial for analyzing changes in a system's internal energy.
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Heat Transfer

Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves from one object or system to another due to a temperature difference. In the context of the question, the evaporation of sweat from the skin represents a cooling effect, indicating that heat is leaving the system (the skin) to facilitate the phase change of sweat from liquid to vapor. This process is essential for regulating body temperature.
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Heat Capacity

Change in Internal Energy (ΔE)

The change in internal energy (ΔE) of a system is defined as the total energy change resulting from heat and work interactions. According to the first law of thermodynamics, ΔE = q + w, where q is heat added to the system and w is work done on the system. In the case of evaporating sweat, heat is lost, leading to a negative ΔE for the system, indicating a decrease in internal energy.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

A particular frost-free refrigerator uses about 745 kWh of electrical energy per year. Express this amount of energy in each unit. c. Cal

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Textbook Question

Which statement is true of the internal energy of a system and its surroundings during an energy exchange with a negative ΔEsys? a. The internal energy of the system increases and the internal energy of the surroundings decreases. b. The internal energy of both the system and the surroundings increases. c. The internal energy of both the system and the surroundings decreases. d. The internal energy of the system decreases and the internal energy of the surroundings increases.

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Open Question
During an energy exchange, a chemical system absorbs energy from its surroundings. What is the sign of ΔEsys for this process?
Textbook Question

Identify each energy exchange as primarily heat or work and determine whether the sign of ΔE is positive or negative for the system. a. Sweat evaporates from skin, cooling the skin. (The evaporating sweat is the system.) b. A balloon expands against an external pressure. (The contents of the balloon is the system.) c. An aqueous chemical reaction mixture is warmed with an external flame. (The reaction mixture is the system.) Identify energy exchanges as primarily heat or work. Determine whether the sign of E is positive or negative for the system.

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Textbook Question

Identify each energy exchange as primarily heat or work and determine whether the sign of ΔE is positive or negative for the system. Identify each energy exchange as primarily heat or work. a. A rolling billiard ball collides with another billiard ball. The first billiard ball (defined as the system) stops rolling after the collision. b. A book falls to the floor. (The book is the system). c. A father pushes his daughter on a swing. (The daughter and the swing are the system). Identify each energy exchange as primarily heat or work.

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Textbook Question

A system releases 622 kJ of heat and does 105 kJ of work on the surroundings. What is the change in internal energy of the system?

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