When heated, the DNA double helix separates into two random coil single strands. When | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change - Standalone book

Chapter 20 Problem 20.106

Question

When heated, the DNA double helix separates into two random coil single strands. When cooled, the random coils reform the double helix: double helix BA 2 random coils. (a) What is the sign of DS for the forward process? Why? (b) Energy must be added to break H bonds and overcome dispersion forces between the strands. What is the sign of DG for the forward process when TDS is smaller than DH? (c) Write an expression for T in terms of DH and DS when the reaction is at equilibrium. (This temperature is called the melting temperature of the nucleic acid.)

Solution

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The first step in solving 20 problem number 106 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: When heated, the DNA double helix separates into two random coil single strands. When cooled, the random coils reform the double helix: double helix BA 2 random coils. (a) What is the sign of DS for the forward process? Why? (b) Energy must be added to break H bonds and overcome dispersion forces between the strands. What is the sign of DG for the forward process when TDS is smaller than DH? (c) Write an expression for T in terms of DH and DS when the reaction is at equilibrium. (This temperature is called the melting temperature of the nucleic acid.)
From the textbook chapter Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy, and the Direction of Chemical Reactions you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

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full solution

Title Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change - Standalone book 7 
Author Martin Silberberg Dr., Patricia Amateis Professor
ISBN 9780073511177

When heated, the DNA double helix separates into two random coil single strands. When

Chapter 20 textbook questions

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