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Problem Statement: The resistance $R_t$ of a platinum wire at temperature $t^\circ\textC$ on the ideal gas scale is given by $R_t = R_0(1 + \alpha t + \beta t^2)$. If $\alpha = 3.8 \times 10^-3 \text K^-1$ and $\beta = -5.6 \times 10^-7 \text K^-2$, calculate the resistance at $100^\circ\textC$. Assume $R_0 = 10.0\ \Omega$.

Verified Solution:

  • Calculate individual terms:
  • Solve for $R_t$: $$R_t = 10.0 [ 1 + 0.38 - 0.0056 ]$$ $$R_t = 10.0 [ 1.3744 ]$$ $$R_t = 13.744\ \Omega$$
  • Significance: Note that if linear interpolation was used ($R_linear = R_0(1+\alpha t)$), the result would be $13.8\ \Omega$. The small correction due to $\beta$ is characteristic of real platinum thermometers.

    • Final Answer: $13.74\ \Omega$

    Before paying for a digital manual, check your physics department’s tutoring center. Many keep a "solution binder" for peer tutors to reference. You can study it on-site.

    Yes, but with a caveat. McGraw-Hill (the publisher) produces an Instructor’s Solutions Manual for Heat and Thermodynamics. This is the most verified source available. However, it is not for sale to students. It is strictly restricted to verified instructors and faculty.

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    If you search Google or academia file-sharing sites, you will find dozens of results for "Zemansky solution manual." Most of these fall into three dangerous categories:

    Using an unverified manual is worse than having no manual at all. It actively teaches you incorrect methodology.