(a) Is the dissociation of fluorine molecules into atomic fluorine, F₂(𝑔) ⇌ 2   F(𝑔), an exothermic or endothermic process?

Key Concepts

Dissociation Reactions

Dissociation reactions involve the breaking of bonds in a compound to form individual atoms or smaller molecules. In the case of fluorine, the reaction F₂(g) ⇌ 2 F(g) represents the dissociation of diatomic fluorine into two monatomic fluorine atoms. Understanding this process is crucial for determining the energy changes associated with the reaction.

Exothermic vs. Endothermic Processes

Exothermic processes release energy, usually in the form of heat, while endothermic processes absorb energy from the surroundings. The classification of a reaction as exothermic or endothermic can be determined by the energy changes that occur during bond breaking and formation. This distinction is essential for analyzing the thermodynamics of the dissociation of fluorine.

Bond Energy

Bond energy is the amount of energy required to break a bond between two atoms. In the context of the dissociation of F₂, the bond energy of the F-F bond must be considered to evaluate whether the process is exothermic or endothermic. If the energy required to break the bond is greater than the energy released when forming new bonds, the process is endothermic, and vice versa.