An electric kettle has a heating element of resistance and is connected to a supply

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Thermodynamics · Thermodynamics

Problem

An electric kettle has a heating element of resistance 44 Ω44\,\Omega and is connected to a 220 V220\,\text{V} supply. The kettle contains 1 kg1\,\text{kg} of water at 20∘C20^{\circ}\text{C}. (i) Assuming that all electrical energy supplied is absorbed by the water, calculate the time required for the water to reach its boiling point, 100∘C100^{\circ}\text{C}. (Specific heat capacity of water =4.2×103 J kg−1 ∘C−1= 4.2 \times 10^{3}\,\text{J}\,\text{kg}^{-1}\,^{\circ}\text{C}^{-1}.) (ii) In practice some heat is lost to the surroundings. State two factors that could increase the time actually taken compared with the value calculated in part (i).

Related theory

Browse the problem library