Two different gases occupy the two bulbs shown here. Consider the process that occurs when the stopcock is opened, assuming the gases behave ideally. (a) Draw the final (equilibrium) state. (b) Predict the signs of H and S for the process. (c) Is the process that occurs when the stopcock is opened a reversible one? (d) How does the process affect the entropy of the surroundings? [Sections 19.1 and 19.2]
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Textbook Solutions for Chemistry: The Central Science
Question
The conversion of natural gas, which is mostly methane, into products that contain two or more carbon atoms, such as ethane 1C2H62, is a very important industrial chemical process. In principle, methane can be converted into ethane and hydrogen: 2 CH41g2 C2H61g2 + H21g2 In practice, this reaction is carried out in the presence of oxygen: 2 CH41g2 + 1 2 O21g2 C2H61g2 + H2O1g2 (a) Using the data in Appendix C, calculate K for these reactions at 25 C and 500 C. (b) Is the difference in G for the two reactions due primarily to the enthalpy term 1H2 or the entropy term 1-TS2? (c) Explain how the preceding reactions are an example of driving a nonspontaneous reaction, as discussed in the Chemistry and Life box in Section 19.7. (d) The reaction of CH4 and O2 to form C2H6 and H2O must be carried out carefully to avoid a competing reaction. What is the most likely competing reaction?
Solution
The first step in solving 19 problem number 102 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: The conversion of natural gas, which is mostly methane, into products that contain two or more carbon atoms, such as ethane 1C2H62, is a very important industrial chemical process. In principle, methane can be converted into ethane and hydrogen: 2 CH41g2 C2H61g2 + H21g2 In practice, this reaction is carried out in the presence of oxygen: 2 CH41g2 + 1 2 O21g2 C2H61g2 + H2O1g2 (a) Using the data in Appendix C, calculate K for these reactions at 25 C and 500 C. (b) Is the difference in G for the two reactions due primarily to the enthalpy term 1H2 or the entropy term 1-TS2? (c) Explain how the preceding reactions are an example of driving a nonspontaneous reaction, as discussed in the Chemistry and Life box in Section 19.7. (d) The reaction of CH4 and O2 to form C2H6 and H2O must be carried out carefully to avoid a competing reaction. What is the most likely competing reaction?
From the textbook chapter Chemical Thermodynamics you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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