🧪 TheChemSolverInternational Chemistry Olympiad
Physical Chemistry — ThermodynamicsIChO

I. In applied thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy plays an important role and can be calculated accordPhysical Chemistry — Thermodynamics Chemistry Question

Applied thermodynamics

I. In applied thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy plays an important role and can be calculated according to the following expression:
ΔGo298 = ΔHo298 – TΔSo298
ΔGo298 - standard free energy change
ΔHo298 - standard enthalpy change
ΔSo298 - standard entropy change

The burning of graphite is represented by two reactions:
C(graphite) + ½ O2 (g) → CO (g) (1)
C(graphite) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g) (2)

The dependence of ΔHo, ΔSo on temperature is as follows:
Reaction (1): ΔHoT (1) (J·mol-1) = –112298.8 + 5.94T;
ΔSoT (1) (J·K-1·mol-1) = 54.0 + 6.21 lnT
Reaction (2): ΔHoT (2) (J·mol-1) = – 393740.1 + 0.77 T;
ΔSoT (2) (J·K-1·mol-1) = 1.54 – 0.77 lnT

Based on the above data:

7.1.

Derive the expression for the Gibbs free energy as a function of temperature, ΔGoT = f(T) for each reaction.

Model Answer

Based on the above data:
ΔGoT = ΔHoT – TΔSoT
Reaction (1): ΔGoT (1) = (– 112298.8 + 5.94 T) – T(54.0 + 6.21 ln T)
ΔGoT (1) = – 112298.8 – 48.06 T – 6.21 T lnT

Reaction (2): ΔGoT (2) = (– 393740.1 + 0.77 T) – T(1.54 – 0.77 ln T)
ΔGoT (2) = – 393740.1 – 0.77 T + 0.77 T lnT

7.2.

Predict the changes of ΔGoT with an increase in temperature.

Model Answer

ΔGoT (1) decreases with an increase in temperature.
ΔGoT (2) increases with an increase in temperature.

7.3.

II. Assume that at 1400 oC, during the course of reactions (1) and (2), CO gas might continue to react with O2 to form the final product CO2.

Write down the reaction (3) for the formation of CO2 from CO gas.

Model Answer

C(graphite) + ½ O2(g) → CO(g) (1)
C(graphite) + O2(g) → CO2(g) (2)
(2) – (1) → CO(g) + ½ O2 → CO2(g) (3)
We have, ΔGoT (3) = ΔGoT (2) – ΔGoT (1)

7.4.

Calculate ΔGoT (3).

Model Answer

Substitute the values in:
ΔGoT (3) = (– 393740.1 – 0.77 T + 0.77 T lnT) – (– 112298.8 – 48.06 T – 6.21T lnT)
ΔGoT (3) = – 281441.3 + 47.29 T – 6.98 T lnT
At 1673 K: ΔGoT (3) = –115650 J/mol

7.5.

Determine the equilibrium constant Kp for reaction (3) at the given temperature.

Model Answer

Since ΔGo = –RT lnKp, the equilibrium constant Kp for reaction (3) can be calculated as follows:
-ΔGo1673 (3) / (8.314×1673) = 115650 / (8.314×1673) = 8.313457 = ln Kp,1673 (3)
→ Kp,1673 (3) = 4083

7.6.

III. In an experiment, NiO powder and CO gas were placed in a closed container which was then heated up to 1400 oC. When the system reached equilibrium, there were four species present: NiO(s), Ni(s), CO(g) and CO2(g). The mole percentages of CO and CO2 are 1 % and 99 %, respectively, and the pressure of the system is 1.0 bar (10^5 Pa).

Write down the reactions in the above experiment.

Model Answer

CO(g) + ½ O2(g) → CO2(g) (3)
NiO(s) + CO(g) → Ni(s) + CO2(g) (4)
(4) – (3) NiO(s) → Ni(s) + ½ O2(g) (5)

7.7.

Based on the experimental results and the above thermodynamic data, calculate the pressure of O2 in the equilibrium with NiO and Ni at 1400 oC.

Model Answer

At 1673 K, we have:
For reaction (4): Kp(4) = pCO2 / pCO = 99 / 1 = 99
For reaction (3): Kp(3) = pCO2 / (pCO * pO2^1/2) = 4083
or Kp(4) / pO2^1/2 = 99 / pO2^1/2 = 4083
For reaction (5): Kp(5) = pO2^1/2 = Kp(4) / Kp(3) = 99 / 4083 = 0.024247 = 2.4247 * 10^-2
Hence, pO2 = (Kp(5))^2 = (2.4247 * 10^-2)^2 = 5.88 * 10^-4 bar = 58.8 Pa

💬
Still have doubts about this question?
Practice more questions like this, completely free.

Practice International Chemistry Olympiad questions like this — free

4,000+ questions across AP Chemistry, USNCO, and IChO — all free, no signup required.