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Chapter 10: Problem 35

How are the coefficients in a chemical equation used to determine the change in a thermodynamic property during a chemical reaction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The coefficients in a chemical reaction are used to determine the change in a thermodynamic property during a reaction. Specifically, the mole ratio given by the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation directly influences the enthalpy change for that reaction. As per the multiplication or division of coefficients in a reaction, the corresponding enthalpy changes will also be multiplied or divided.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Chemical Equations

A chemical equation represents a chemical reaction. The reactants (substances that are going to react) are written on the left, and the products (substances formed in the reaction) are written on the right. They are separated by an arrow which shows the direction of the reaction. The coefficients in front of the chemical formulas represent the number of molecules or moles involved in the reaction.
02

Thermodynamics & Chemical Reactions

Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformations. One important thermodynamic property is the enthalpy change (ΔH) of a reaction, which is the heat absorbed or released during a reaction at constant pressure. Thermochemical equations are chemical equations that include the enthalpy change.
03

Relationship between Coefficients & Thermodynamic Properties

The coefficients in a balanced chemical equation are used to determine the change in a thermodynamic property for a reaction. It tells us the mole ratio of the reactants and the products. If a coefficient is multiplied or divided in a reaction, the value of ΔH for that reaction is also, respectively, multiplied or divided. For instance, if the balanced chemical reaction is \(A + B \rightarrow C\), and the ΔH for this reaction is -100 kJ, if the reaction is \(2A + 2B \rightarrow 2C\), the ΔH for this new reaction would be -200 kJ.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why are the specific heats of \(\mathrm{F}_{2}(g)\) and \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}(g)\) very different, whereas their molar heat capacities are very similar?

Explain how a comprehensive table of standard Gibbs energies of formation can be used to determine the spontaneity of any chemical reaction.

Define Gibbs energy, and explain its usefulness.

Calculate the slope given the following data. $$\begin{array}{ll}{y_{2}=63.7 \mathrm{mL}} & {x_{2}=5 \mathrm{s}} \\\ {y_{1}=43.5 \mathrm{mL}} & {x_{1}=2 \mathrm{s}}\end{array}$$

Name a device used for measuring enthalpy changes.
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