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Ch.18 - Free Energy and Thermodynamics
Chapter 18, Problem 61a

For each reaction, calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C and state whether or not the reaction is spontaneous. If the reaction is not spontaneous, would a change in temperature make it spontaneous? If so, should the temperature be raised or lowered from 25 °C? a. N2O4(g) → 2 NO2(g)

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Key Concepts

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

Thermodynamic Functions (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°)

ΔH° (enthalpy change), ΔS° (entropy change), and ΔG° (Gibbs free energy change) are fundamental thermodynamic functions used to assess the energy and disorder changes in a chemical reaction. ΔH° indicates whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic, while ΔS° reflects the change in disorder. ΔG° combines these two to determine spontaneity; a negative ΔG° indicates a spontaneous reaction at a given temperature.
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Spontaneity of Reactions

A reaction is considered spontaneous if it occurs without external intervention, which is determined by the sign of ΔG°. If ΔG° is negative, the reaction is spontaneous; if positive, it is non-spontaneous. The spontaneity can also depend on temperature, as the relationship between ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° is temperature-dependent, described by the equation ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°.
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Temperature's Effect on Spontaneity

The temperature can influence the spontaneity of a reaction, particularly when ΔH° and ΔS° have opposing signs. If ΔS° is positive (increased disorder) and ΔH° is positive (endothermic), raising the temperature can make ΔG° negative, thus making the reaction spontaneous. Conversely, if ΔS° is negative (decreased disorder) and ΔH° is negative (exothermic), lowering the temperature may be necessary for spontaneity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Methanol (CH3OH) burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. Write a balanced equation for the combustion of liquid methanol and calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C. Is the combustion of methanol spontaneous?

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Textbook Question

In photosynthesis, plants form glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. Write a balanced equation for photosynthesis and calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C. Is photosynthesis spontaneous?

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Open Question
For each reaction, calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C and state whether the reaction is spontaneous. If the reaction is not spontaneous, would a change in temperature make it spontaneous? If so, should the temperature be raised or lowered from 25 °C? b. NH4Cl(s) → HCl(g) + NH3(g) c. 3 H2(g) + Fe2O3(s) → 2 Fe(s) + 3 H2O(g)
Textbook Question

For each reaction, calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C and state whether or not the reaction is spontaneous. If the reaction is not spontaneous, would a change in temperature make it spontaneous? If so, should the temperature be raised or lowered from 25 °C? d. N2(g) + 3 H2(g) → 2 NH3(g)

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Open Question
For each reaction, calculate ΔH°_rxn, ΔS°_rxn, and ΔG°_rxn at 25°C and determine whether the reaction is spontaneous. If the reaction is not spontaneous, could a change in temperature make it spontaneous? If so, should the temperature be increased or decreased from 25°C? b. 2 NH3(g) → N2H4(g) + H2(g)
Textbook Question

For each reaction, calculate ΔH°rxn, ΔS°rxn, and ΔG°rxn at 25 °C and state whether or not the reaction is spontaneous. If the reaction is not spontaneous, would a change in temperature make it spontaneous? If so, should the temperature be raised or lowered from 25 °C? a. 2 CH4(g) → C2H6(g) + H2(g)

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