Final answer:
The change in thermal energy of a wooden block with a mass of 20.0 kg and a specific heat of 1700 J/kg°C warming from 15.0°C to 25.0°C is 340,000 Joules (or 340 kJ).
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the change in thermal energy of the block as it warms from 15.0°C to 25.0°C, we can use the formula for specific heat capacity, which is Q = mcΔT. Here, Q represents the thermal energy transferred, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
For the given wooden block, we know:
- Mass (m) = 20.0 kg
- Specific heat (c) = 1700 J/kg°C
- Initial temperature (T1) = 15.0°C
- Final temperature (T2) = 25.0°C
- Change in temperature (ΔT) = T2 - T1 = 25.0°C - 15.0°C = 10.0°C
Now we can calculate the change in thermal energy:
Q = mcΔT = (20.0 kg)(1700 J/kg°C)(10.0°C) = 340,000 J
Therefore, the change in thermal energy of the wooden block is 340,000 Joules (or 340 kJ).