A muscle can be thought of as a fuel cell, producing work | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for An Introduction to Thermal Physics

Chapter 5 Problem 6P

Question

A muscle can be thought of as a fuel cell, producing work from the metabolism of glucose:

\(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}+6 \mathrm{O}_{2} \longrightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_{2}+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\).

(a) Use the data at the back of this book to determine the values of \(\Delta H\) and \(\Delta G\) for this reaction, for one mole of glucose. Assume that the reaction takes place at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

(b) What is the maximum amount of work that a muscle can perform, for each mole of glucose consumed, assuming ideal operation?

(c) Still assuming ideal operation, how much heat is absorbed or expelled by the chemicals during the metabolism of a mole of glucose? (Be sure to say which direction the heat flows.)

(d) Use the concept of entropy to explain why the heat flows in the direction it does.

(e) How would your answers to parts (b) and (c) change, if the operation of the muscle is not ideal?

Solution

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The first step in solving 5 problem number 6 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: A muscle can be thought of as a fuel cell, producing work from the metabolism of glucose:\(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}+6 \mathrm{O}_{2} \longrightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_{2}+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\).(a) Use the data at the back of this book to determine the values of \(\Delta H\) and \(\Delta G\) for this reaction, for one mole of glucose. Assume that the reaction takes place at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.(b) What is the maximum amount of work that a muscle can perform, for each mole of glucose consumed, assuming ideal operation?(c) Still assuming ideal operation, how much heat is absorbed or expelled by the chemicals during the metabolism of a mole of glucose? (Be sure to say which direction the heat flows.)(d) Use the concept of entropy to explain why the heat flows in the direction it does.(e) How would your answers to parts (b) and (c) change, if the operation of the muscle is not ideal?
From the textbook chapter Free Energy and Chemical Thermodynamics you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

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full solution

Title An Introduction to Thermal Physics  1 
Author Daniel V. Schroeder
ISBN 9780201380279

A muscle can be thought of as a fuel cell, producing work

Chapter 5 textbook questions

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