Chemsitry Question: Has to do with Specific Heat and Vaporization?

Question

Chemistry Problem: (I just cant solve it)

What is the minimum speed at which a 1 kg snowball is thrown at a wall so that it will vaporize on impact? Assume frictionless, no speed loss or gain, etc.

My chemistry teacher said it had something to do with the specific heat of Ice, but I cannot solve it.

Answer 1

You need to make at least one assumption (the initial temperature of the snowball). Then you have to figure out how much heat to raise 1kg of water to 0C, how much to melt 1kg of ice to water, how much heat to raise the temperature of the water to 100C and how much heat to vaporize 1kg of water at 100C. Once you have added up all of that energy you need to know that kinetic energy is equal to 0.5 mass * velocity ^ 2. You know the energy required and the mass and you can calculate the velocity. Always double check your work by carrying units through!!

good luck!