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Chapter 5: Problem 29

(a) What is meant by the term state function? (b) Give an example of a quantity that is a state function and one that is not. (c) Is the volume of a system a state function? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A state function is a property of a thermodynamic system that depends only on its current state, such as temperature, pressure, and chemical composition, and not on the path used to reach that state. An example of a state function is Internal Energy (U), while an example of a non-state function is Heat (Q). Yes, the volume of a system is a state function, as it depends only on its current state and not on how the system achieved its volume or what path was taken.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the term "State Function"

A state function is a property of a system in thermodynamics that depends only on its current state (temperature, pressure, and chemical composition), and not on the path used to reach that state. In other words, state functions are independent of their history or any specific process.
02

Examples of State Function and Non-State Function

1. Example of a state function: Internal Energy (U) - It is a property of a thermodynamic system that depends only on the current state of the system, not on how that state was achieved. It represents the stored energy within the system and can be related to the system's temperature and chemical composition. 2. Example of a non-state function: Heat (Q) - Heat is the energy transferred between a system and its surroundings due to a difference in temperature. It is not a state function because the heat transferred depends on the specific path taken during the process.
03

Volume as a State Function

Yes, the volume of a system is a state function. This is because the volume of a system only depends on its current state, such as pressure and temperature, and not on how the system achieved its volume or what path was taken. So, the system's volume is independent of its history or any specific process.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The heat of combustion of ethanol, $\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}(l),\( is -1367 \)\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$. A bottle of stout (dark beer) contains up to \(6.0 \%\) ethanol by mass. Assuming the density of the beer to be \(1.0 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL},\) what is the caloric content due to the alcohol (ethanol) in a bottle of beer \((500 \mathrm{~mL})\) ?

The complete combustion of methane, \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}(g)\), to form \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) and \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) at constant pressure releases \(890 \mathrm{~kJ}\) of heat per mole of \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\). (a) Write a balanced thermochemical equation for this reaction. (b) Draw an enthalpy diagram for the reaction.

Consider the following hypothetical reactions: $$ \begin{array}{l} \mathrm{A} \longrightarrow \mathrm{B} \quad \Delta H_{I}=+60 \mathrm{~kJ} \\ \mathrm{~B} \longrightarrow \mathrm{C} \quad \Delta H_{I I}=-90 \mathrm{~kJ} \end{array} $$ (a) Use Hess's law to calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction \(\mathrm{A} \longrightarrow \mathrm{C}\). (b) Construct an enthalpy diagram for substances A, B, and C, and show how Hess's law applies.

Under constant-volume conditions, the heat of combustion of sucrose \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{22} \mathrm{O}_{11}\right)\) is $16.49 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{g}\(. A \)3.00-\mathrm{g}$ sample of sucrose is burned in a bomb calorimeter. The temperature of the calorimeter increases from 21.94 to \(24.62^{\circ} \mathrm{C} .(\mathbf{a})\) What is the total heat capacity of the calorimeter? (b) If the size of the sucrose sample had been exactly twice as large, what would the temperature change of the calorimeter have been?

Two solid objects, A and B, are placed in boiling water and allowed to come to the temperature of the water. Each is then lifted out and placed in separate beakers containing \(1000 \mathrm{~g}\) of water at \(10.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Object A increases the water temperature by $3.50^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ; \mathrm{B}\( increases the water temperature by \)2.60{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. (a) Which object has the larger heat capacity? (b) What can you say about the specific heats of \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) ?
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