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Ch.5 - Thermochemistry
Chapter 5, Problem 38

A gas is confined to a cylinder under constant atmospheric pressure, as illustrated in Figure 5.4. When 0.49 kJ of heat is added to the gas, it expands and does 214 J of work on the surroundings. What are the values of H and E for this process?

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Identify the given values: the heat added to the system \( q = 0.49 \text{ kJ} \) and the work done by the system \( w = 214 \text{ J} \).
Convert all units to the same system for consistency. Since \( q \) is given in kJ, convert \( w \) from J to kJ: \( 1 \text{ kJ} = 1000 \text{ J} \).
Use the first law of thermodynamics, which states \( \Delta E = q - w \), to find the change in internal energy \( \Delta E \).
Calculate the change in enthalpy \( \Delta H \) using the relationship \( \Delta H = \Delta E + P\Delta V \). Since the process occurs at constant pressure, \( \Delta H = q \).
Substitute the known values into the equations to find \( \Delta E \) and \( \Delta H \).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In the context of a gas expanding in a cylinder, the internal energy change (ΔE) of the system is equal to the heat added to the system (q) minus the work done by the system (w) on the surroundings, expressed as ΔE = q - w.
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Enthalpy (H)

Enthalpy is a thermodynamic quantity that represents the total heat content of a system at constant pressure. It is defined as H = E + PV, where E is the internal energy, P is the pressure, and V is the volume. In processes occurring at constant pressure, the change in enthalpy (ΔH) can be directly related to the heat exchanged with the surroundings.
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Work Done by a Gas

In thermodynamics, the work done by a gas during expansion is calculated as the product of pressure and the change in volume (w = PΔV). When a gas expands against a constant external pressure, it does work on the surroundings, which must be accounted for when calculating changes in internal energy and enthalpy.
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Related Practice
Open Question
(a) Under what condition will the enthalpy change of a process equal the amount of heat transferred into or out of the system? (b) During a constant-pressure process, the system releases heat to the surroundings. Does the enthalpy of the system increase or decrease during the process? (c) In a constant-pressure process, _x001F_H = 0. What can you conclude about _x001F_E, q, and w?
Open Question
Assume that 2 moles of water are formed according to the following reaction at constant pressure (101.3 kPa) and constant temperature (298 K): 2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(l). (b) Calculate _x001F_E for the reaction using your answer to (a).
Open Question
Suppose that the gas-phase reaction 2 NO(g) + O2(g) → 2 NO2(g) were carried out in a constant-volume container at constant temperature. (a) Would the measured heat change represent _x001F_H or _x001F_E? (b) If there is a difference, which quantity is larger for this reaction? (c) Explain your answer to part (b).
Textbook Question

The complete combustion of methane, CH4(g), to form H2O(l) and CO2(g) at constant pressure releases 890 kJ of heat per mole of CH4. (a) Write a balanced thermochemical equation for this reaction.

Textbook Question

The complete combustion of methane, CH4(g), to form H2O(l) and CO2(g) at constant pressure releases 890 kJ of heat per mole of CH4. (b) Draw an enthalpy diagram for the reaction.

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Textbook Question

The decomposition of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), NaHCO3(s), into Na2CO3(s), H2O(l), and CO2(g) at constant pressure requires the addition of 85 kJ of heat per two moles of NaHCO3. (a) Write a balanced thermochemical equation for the reaction.