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Multiple Choice
Mothballs are composed primarily of the hydrocarbon naphthalene (C10H8). When 0.820 g of naphthalene burns in a bomb calorimeter, the temperature rises from 25.10 °C to 31.56 °C. Find ΔErxn for the combustion of naphthalene given that the heat capacity of the calorimeter is 5.50 kJ/°C.
A
-28.3 kJ
B
-50.1 kJ
C
-42.8 kJ
D
-35.6 kJ
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the given values: mass of naphthalene (0.820 g), initial temperature (25.10 °C), final temperature (31.56 °C), and heat capacity of the calorimeter (5.50 kJ/°C).
Calculate the change in temperature (ΔT) using the formula: ΔT = T_final - T_initial. Substitute the given values to find ΔT.
Use the formula for heat absorbed or released by the calorimeter: q_cal = C_cal × ΔT, where C_cal is the heat capacity of the calorimeter. Substitute the values to find q_cal.
Since the reaction occurs in a bomb calorimeter, the heat absorbed by the calorimeter (q_cal) is equal to the negative of the change in internal energy of the reaction (ΔErxn). Therefore, ΔErxn = -q_cal.
Ensure the units are consistent and convert the final value to kJ if necessary. This will give you the ΔErxn for the combustion of naphthalene.