(b) Based on your general chemical knowledge, predict which of these reactions will have K>1. (i) 2 Mg(s) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2 MgO(s) (ii) 2 KI(s) ⇌ 2 K(g) + I2(g) (iii) Na2(g) ⇌ 2 Na(g) (iv) 2 V2O5(s) ⇌ 4 V(s) + 5 O2(g)
The oxidation of glucose (C6H12O6) in body tissue produces CO2 and H2O. In contrast, anaerobic decomposition, which occurs during fermentation, produces ethanol (C2H5OH) and CO2.
(a) Using data given in Appendix C, compare the equilibrium constants for the following reactions:
C6H12O6(s) + 6 O2(g) ⇌ 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l)
C6H12O6(s) ⇌ 2 C2H5OH(l) + 2 CO2(g)


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Key Concepts
Equilibrium Constant (K)
Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Thermodynamics and Reaction Spontaneity
(c) In each case, indicate whether K should increase or decrease with increasing temperature. (i) 2 Mg(s) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2 MgO(s) (ii) 2 KI(s) ⇌ 2 K(g) + I2(g) (iii) Na2(g) ⇌ 2 Na(g) (iv) 2 V2O5(s) ⇌ 4 V(s) + 5 O2(g)
The oxidation of glucose (C6H12O6) in body tissue produces CO2 and H2O. In contrast, anaerobic decomposition, which occurs during fermentation, produces ethanol (C2H5OH) and CO2.
(b) Compare the maximum work that can be obtained from these processes under standard conditions.
C6H12O6(s) + 6 O2(g) ⇌ 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l)
C6H12O6(s) ⇌ 2 C2H5OH(l) + 2 CO2(g)
The conversion of natural gas, which is mostly methane, into products that contain two or more carbon atoms, such as ethane (C2H6), is a very important industrial chemical process. In principle, methane can be converted into ethane and hydrogen: 2 CH4(g) → C2H6(g) + H2(g) In practice, this reaction is carried out in the presence of oxygen: 2 CH4(g) + 12 O2(g) → C2H6(g) + H2O(g) (b) Is the difference in ΔG° for the two reactions due primarily to the enthalpy term (ΔH) or the entropy term (-TΔS)?
The conversion of natural gas, which is mostly methane, into products that contain two or more carbon atoms, such as ethane (C2H6), is a very important industrial chemical process. In principle, methane can be converted into ethane and hydrogen: 2 CH4(g) → C2H6(g) + H2(g) In practice, this reaction is carried out in the presence of oxygen: 2 CH4(g) + 1/2 O2(g) → C2H6(g) + H2O(g) (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.