Skip to main content
Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry
Chapter 3, Problem 111

Section 2.9 introduced the idea of structural isomerism, with 1-propanol and 2-propanol as examples. Determine which of these properties would distinguish these two substances: (a) boiling point, (b) combustion analysis results, (c) molecular weight, (d) density at a given temperature and pressure. You can check on the properties of these two compounds in Wolfram Alpha (http://www.wolframalpha.com/) or the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of structural isomerism. Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms. 1-propanol and 2-propanol are structural isomers of C3H8O.
Step 2: Consider the boiling point. Structural isomers often have different boiling points due to variations in molecular structure affecting intermolecular forces. Check the boiling points of 1-propanol and 2-propanol to see if they differ.
Step 3: Analyze combustion analysis results. Since both isomers have the same molecular formula, their combustion analysis results (amounts of CO2 and H2O produced) will be identical, as combustion depends on the molecular formula.
Step 4: Evaluate molecular weight. Both 1-propanol and 2-propanol have the same molecular formula, C3H8O, and thus the same molecular weight. This property cannot distinguish between them.
Step 5: Examine density at a given temperature and pressure. Density can vary between structural isomers due to differences in molecular packing and structure. Check the densities of 1-propanol and 2-propanol under the same conditions to determine if they differ.
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Viridicatumtoxin B, C30H31NO10, is a natural antibiotic compound. It requires a synthesis of 12 steps in the laboratory. Assuming all steps have equivalent yields of 85%, which is the final percent yield of the total synthesis?
393
views
Textbook Question

(b) Because atoms are spherical, they cannot occupy all of the space of the cube. The silver atoms pack in the solid in such a way that 74% of the volume of the solid is actually filled with the silver atoms. Calculate the volume of a single silver atom.

Textbook Question

Burning acetylene in oxygen can produce three different carbon-containing products: soot (very fine particles of graphite), CO(g), and CO2(g). (c) Why, when the oxygen supply is adequate, is CO2(g) the predominant carbon-containing product of the combustion of acetylene?

1216
views
Textbook Question
A 3.50 g of an alloy which contains only lead and tin is dissolved in hot HNO3. Excess sulfuric acid is added to this solution and 1.57g of PbSO4(s) is obtained. (b) Assuming all the lead in the alloy reacted to form PbSO4, what was the amount, in grams, of lead and tin in the alloy respectively?
568
views
Textbook Question

Hydrogen cyanide, HCN, is a poisonous gas. The lethal dose is approximately 300 mg HCN per kilogram of air when inhaled. (c) HCN forms when synthetic fibers containing Orlon® or Acrilan ® burn. Acrilan® has an empirical formula of CH2CHCN, so HCN is 50.9% of the formula by mass. A rug measures 3.5 × 4.5 m and contains 850 g of Acrilan® fibers per square yard of carpet. If the rug burns, will a lethal dose of HCN be generated in the room? Assume that the yield of HCN from the fibers is 20% and that the carpet is 50% consumed.

1268
views
Textbook Question

The source of oxygen that drives the internal combustion engine in an automobile is air. Air is a mixture of gases, principally N2(79%) and O2(20%). In the cylinder of an automobile engine, nitrogen can react with oxygen to produce nitric oxide gas, NO. As NO is emitted from the tailpipe of the car, it can react with more oxygen to produce nitrogen dioxide gas. (a) Write balanced chemical equations for both reactions.