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Enormous numbers of microwave photons are needed to warm household samples. A bo

ID: 789099 • Letter: E

Question


Enormous numbers of microwave photons are needed to warm household samples.  A bowl of soup containing 363g of water is heated in a microwave oven from 20.0C to 98.0C using radiation with wavelength 122 mm.  Assuming that the specific heat capacity of the soup is the same as that of water (4.184 J/gK) and no heat loss to the bowl, which choice is closest to the number of photons absorbed?
Enormous numbers of microwave photons are needed to warm household samples.  A bowl of soup containing 363g of water is heated in a microwave oven from 20.0C to 98.0C using radiation with wavelength 122 mm.  Assuming that the specific heat capacity of the soup is the same as that of water (4.184 J/gK) and no heat loss to the bowl, which choice is closest to the number of photons absorbed?

Explanation / Answer

Energy needed to heat water = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change.

Energy supplied by microwaves = (Planck constant x speed of light/wavelength) x no. of microwave photons.

Equate the two energies and solve, taking into account correct units for each term.