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Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 104d

The reaction SO2(g) + 2 H2S(g) ⇌ 3 S(s) + 2 H2O(g) is the basis of a suggested method for removal of SO2 from power-plant stack gases. The standard free energy of each substance is given in Appendix C. (d) Would you expect the process to be more or less effective at higher temperatures?

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Key Concepts

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

Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. In the context of temperature changes, if the reaction is exothermic, increasing the temperature will shift the equilibrium to favor the reactants, while decreasing the temperature will favor the products.
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Gibbs Free Energy

Gibbs Free Energy (G) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic system at constant temperature and pressure. The change in Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) during a reaction indicates whether the process is spontaneous; a negative ΔG suggests that the reaction can occur spontaneously, while a positive ΔG indicates non-spontaneity.
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Endothermic vs. Exothermic Reactions

Reactions can be classified as endothermic or exothermic based on their heat exchange with the surroundings. Exothermic reactions release heat, leading to an increase in temperature, while endothermic reactions absorb heat, resulting in a decrease in temperature. Understanding the nature of the reaction in question is crucial for predicting how temperature changes will affect the equilibrium position.
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