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Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy
Chapter 9, Problem 143f

Methanol 1CH3OH2 is made industrially in two steps from CO and H2. It is so cheap to make that it is being considered for use as a precursor to hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane 1CH42: Step 1. CO1g2 + 2 H21g2 S CH3OH1l2 ΔS° = - 332 J>K Step 2. CH3OH1l2 S CH41g2 + 1>2 O21g2 ΔS° = 162 J>K (f) Calculate ΔH° for step 2.

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Key Concepts

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

Enthalpy Change (ΔH°)

Enthalpy change, denoted as ΔH°, refers to the heat content change of a system at constant pressure during a chemical reaction. It indicates whether a reaction is exothermic (releases heat, ΔH° < 0) or endothermic (absorbs heat, ΔH° > 0). Understanding ΔH° is crucial for predicting the energy requirements and feasibility of reactions, especially in industrial processes.
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Gibbs Free Energy and Entropy (ΔS°)

Gibbs free energy combines enthalpy and entropy to determine the spontaneity of a reaction. The change in entropy (ΔS°) reflects the disorder of a system; a positive ΔS° indicates increased disorder. In the context of the given reactions, ΔS° values help assess the thermodynamic favorability of the steps involved in methanol production and its conversion to hydrocarbons.
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Thermodynamic Relationships

Thermodynamic relationships, such as the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation, connect ΔH°, ΔS°, and the temperature of a reaction to predict its spontaneity. For reactions, the relationship ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS° is fundamental, where ΔG° is the change in Gibbs free energy. This relationship is essential for calculating ΔH° for step 2, as it allows the integration of entropy changes into the enthalpy calculations.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Metallic mercury is obtained by heating the mineral cinnabar (HgS) in air: HgS1s2 + O21g2 S Hg1l2 + SO21g2 (a) Use the data in Appendix B to calculate ΔH° in kilojoules for the reaction.
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Textbook Question

Methanol 1CH3OH2 is made industrially in two steps from CO and H2. It is so cheap to make that it is being considered for use as a precursor to hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane 1CH42: Step 1. CO1g2 + 2 H21g2 S CH3OH1l2 ΔS° = - 332 J>K Step 2. CH3OH1l2 S CH41g2 + 1>2 O21g2 ΔS° = 162 J>K (a) Calculate ΔH° in kilojoules for step 1.

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Textbook Question

Methanol (CH3OH) is made industrially in two steps from CO and H2. It is so cheap to make that it is being considered for use as a precursor to hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane (CH4):

Step 1. CO(g) + 2 H2(g) S CH3OH(l) ΔS° = - 332 J/K

Step 2. CH3OH1l2 → CH4(g) + 1/2 O2(g) ΔS° = 162 J/K

(e) In what temperature range is step 1 spontaneous?

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Textbook Question
Ethyl chloride 1C2H5Cl2, a substance used as a topical anes-thetic, is prepared by reaction of ethylene with hydrogen chloride: C2H41g2 + HCl1g2 ¡ C2H5Cl1g2 ΔH° = - 72.3 kJ How much PV work is done in kilojoules, and what is the value of ΔE in kilojoules if 89.5 g of ethylene and 125 g of HCl are allowed to react at atmospheric pressure and the volume change is - 71.5 L?
903
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Textbook Question
We said in Section 9.1 that the potential energy of water at the top of a dam or waterfall is converted into heat when the water dashes against rocks at the bottom. The potential energy of the water at the top is equal to EP = mgh, where m is the mass of the water, g is the acceleration of the falling water due to gravity 1g = 9.81 m>s22, and h is the height of the water. Assuming that all the energy is converted to heat, calculate the temperature rise of the water in degrees Celsius after falling over California's Yosemite Falls, a distance of 739 m. The specific heat of water is 4.18 J/(g·K).
2019
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Textbook Question
When a gaseous compound X containing only C, H, and O is burned in O2, 1 volume of the unknown gas reacts with 3 volumes of O2 to give 2 volumes of CO2 and 3 volumes of gaseous H2O. Assume all volumes are measured at the same temperature and pressure. (d) Combustion of 5.000 g of X releases 144.2 kJ heat. Look up ΔH°f values for CO21g2 and H2O1g2 in Appendix B, and calculate ΔH°f for compound X.
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