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Ch.5 - Thermochemistry
Chapter 5, Problem 86

Ethane, C2H6, is an alkane with one C─C bond and six C─H bonds (Section 2.9). a. Use enthalpies of formation given in Appendix C to calculate Δ𝐻 for the reaction C2H6(𝑔)→2C(𝑔)+6H(𝑔). b. Use the result from part (a) and the value of 𝐷(C─H) from Table 5.4 to estimate the bond enthalpy 𝐷(C─C). c. How large is the difference between the value calculated for in part (b) and the value given in Table 5.4?

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Key Concepts

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

Enthalpy of Formation

Enthalpy of formation (ΔHf) is the change in enthalpy when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their standard states. It is a crucial concept in thermodynamics, allowing chemists to calculate the energy changes associated with chemical reactions. By using standard enthalpy values, one can determine the overall energy change for a reaction, which is essential for understanding reaction feasibility and stability.
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Bond Enthalpy

Bond enthalpy, or bond dissociation energy, is the energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond in a gaseous molecule. It provides insight into the strength of chemical bonds and is used to estimate the energy changes during reactions. In the context of the question, bond enthalpy values are used to calculate the energy associated with breaking and forming bonds, which is vital for determining reaction enthalpies.
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Thermochemical Equations

Thermochemical equations represent the relationship between chemical reactions and the heat changes that accompany them. They include the enthalpy change (ΔH) for the reaction, allowing for the calculation of energy changes based on the bonds broken and formed. Understanding these equations is essential for solving problems related to energy changes in reactions, such as estimating bond enthalpies and comparing calculated values with tabulated data.
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